Two kinds of wells
| Irrigation well | Private drinking well | |
|---|---|---|
| Feeds | Sprinklers | The house |
| Typical complaints | Orange stains, sulfur smell | Iron, sulfur, hardness, bacteria |
| Who tests it | Owner, when problems appear | Owner, at least yearly |
| Connection to house water | Never | It is the supply |
Same aquifer, different treatment
Oakland Park's public water and a backyard well both start in the Biscayne Aquifer. The difference is what happens next. City water goes to a Fort Lauderdale plant for lime softening, filtration and chloramine disinfection; county water gets lime and ferric chloride softening, filtration and chloramines. Well water gets none of that, which is why it can be harder and carry iron and hydrogen sulfide.
Permits and testing in Broward
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County permits water wells, including irrigation wells. For private drinking wells, the Department of Health recommends testing at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, and again after flooding, repairs or a change in taste, color or smell. Designing treatment needs a broader test: iron, hardness, pH, hydrogen sulfide and any specific concern. Jorge's free screening covers the everyday parameters; bacteria and nitrate go to a certified lab.
How a well system is configured
Living Water configures well water systems from the test. Depending on results, stages may include sediment filtration, iron and sulfur treatment, softening and reverse osmosis for drinking water. Any contaminant reduction claim must match the exact model's certification. See UV vs. RO for well water and well water treatment cost in Florida.
Keeping irrigation separate
An irrigation well should never be cross-connected to drinking water plumbing. Public utilities in Broward, including Oakland Park, require backflow protection on certain connections to protect the public supply. If you are not sure how your sprinkler system is plumbed, have it checked.
Questions to ask before buying well equipment
- Which test results is each stage solving?
- Were the numbers measured by a lab or in the field?
- How is the system backwashed or regenerated, and where does that water go?
- What maintenance does each stage need?
- For any contaminant claim, which certification lists this exact model?
Clear answers are a good sign that the system was designed from your water, not from a catalog.
Start with a test
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974. The two most common well complaints are covered on iron stains and sulfur smells.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://broward.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-public-health/water-well-construction/
https://www.oaklandparkfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14670/Water-Quality-Report-2024
https://www.broward.org/waterservices/WaterQualityReport
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist