Are you on a well?
The City of Parkland's Water Utilities page lists communities served by each provider and places only a small section of The Ranches with NSID. It also lists a separate contact for wells and septic tanks. If your community is not on any provider's list and you do not receive a water bill, your home likely uses a private well. A look at your equipment confirms it: a pump, a pressure tank and sometimes existing treatment tanks.
Drinking well vs. irrigation well
| Private drinking well | Irrigation well | |
|---|---|---|
| Feeds | The house | Sprinklers and outdoor uses |
| Common issues | Iron, sulfur, hardness, bacteria | Orange stains, odor |
| Testing | At least yearly for bacteria and nitrate | When problems appear |
| Connection to house plumbing | It is the supply | Never |
Testing and permits
The Florida Department of Health recommends testing private wells at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate, and again after flooding, repairs or a change in taste, color or smell. In Broward County, the Department of Health permits water wells, including irrigation wells. Designing treatment takes a broader test: iron, hardness, pH, hydrogen sulfide, TDS 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. Typical stages, in order, can include sediment filtration, iron and sulfur treatment, softening, and reverse osmosis at the kitchen. Some owners also consider UV; see UV vs. RO for well water. Any contaminant reduction claim must match the exact model's certification.
Questions to ask before buying: Which result 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, and how often?
Large-lot details
- Separate lines for the house, outbuildings and irrigation; treat only what needs treating.
- Backwash water needs a suitable drain or discharge point.
- Septic systems on the same lot make regular bacteria testing of a drinking well more important.
- After flooding reaches the wellhead, test before using the water again.
Start with a test
Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974. See also iron stains, sulfur smells and well water treatment cost in Florida.
https://www.cityofparkland.org/904/Water-Utilities
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.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/well-water-facts-odor-staining.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist