Well Water Treatment in Pinecrest

The Village's guidance, in short

• Private well owners are responsible for ensuring their water is safe from contaminants.
• Test regularly for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH.
• Test whenever you notice a significant change in taste, color or odor; such changes do not automatically mean a serious problem.
• Potential sources the Village names include naturally occurring arsenic and radon, fertilizers and pesticides, manufacturing, sewer problems and malfunctioning septic systems.
• The Florida Department of Health tests in areas adjacent to known contaminated wells.

DOH, for its part, advises testing a private well every year.

Septic tanks next door

A 2018 Miami-Dade study counted 5,088 residential parcels on septic in Pinecrest. DOH notes that bacteria and nitrate can reach groundwater and wells through poorly maintained septic systems, fertilizer use or poorly constructed wells. On large lots with a well and a septic system both on site, regular lab testing is the practical safeguard.

Connecting to county water instead

From 2022 into 2023 the Village built water mains in 16 sub-phases and conveyed them to WASD. If a main now runs in front of your home, the Village lists the steps to connect: open a WASD account, get a Village plumbing permit, have a licensed plumber run the line to the meter location, schedule the meter with WASD, pass the Village's final inspection, and have DERM close the connection case. You also need Florida Department of Health approval to abandon the well or convert it to irrigation. Building and Planning: 305-234-2121.

How a Pinecrest well system is put together

Equipment is chosen after the lab results. A typical design combines sediment filtration, iron and sulfur treatment, softening and an under-sink RO for drinking water. For any specific contaminant on your lab report, the treatment must be certified for that contaminant, and bacteria need their own decision; see UV vs. RO for well water and the well water system page.

Irrigation wells

Many Pinecrest homes on county water keep a well for sprinklers. It does not need drinking water treatment, but iron in it stains walls and pavers; see iron stains in Pinecrest. Miami-Dade's watering schedule applies to wells too.

Next step

Bring your latest lab report if you have one. Jorge adds the in-home numbers that decide equipment, hardness, iron, odor, pH and TDS, and explains your options. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist