Well Water Treatment in Royal Palm Beach

Public wells vs. private wells

PBCWUD describes its eastern source as the Biscayne Aquifer, a shallow aquifer, with water pumped from its most permeable layer to the county's plants. Treatment there includes lime softening, ion exchange for organics and color, filtration and membranes, followed by chloramine. A private well taps similar shallow groundwater and delivers it raw. That is why private wells can show hardness, iron, color or sulfur you never see from a county tap.

Water from a private well is not covered by PBCWUD's monitoring at all, so none of the numbers in the county report describe it.

Which do you have?

• County water: you get a PBCWUD bill and have a county meter.
• Private drinking well: no water bill, a well pump and pressure tank on the property.
• Irrigation well: a separate pump for sprinklers, even in homes on county water.

If you are unsure which utility serves an address, PBCWUD directs residents to look it up at pbcwater.com.

What to test

Florida DOH recommends yearly testing for bacteria and nitrate on private wells, using a certified lab or a sample kit from the county health department. To choose equipment, Jorge adds a screening for hardness, iron, pH, TDS and signs of hydrogen sulfide. Test again after flooding, well repairs or any change in taste, smell or color.

How a well system is put together

1. Iron and sulfur reduction, often oxidation plus filtration.
2. Softening, if hardness is high.
3. Carbon for taste and odor.
4. Disinfection where bacteria are a concern; compare UV vs. RO for well water.
5. Optional under-sink RO for drinking.

Living Water configures its well water system from the well's test.

Ask for a copy of the well's lab results to keep with the system's paperwork.

Irrigation wells

Irrigation water is meant for landscaping and is never treated. It can leave orange stains and a sulfur smell near sprinklers. Treating it is a separate project from drinking water.

Upkeep

Well systems need backwashing, media and filter changes, salt for softening stages and periodic retesting. Ask for a written schedule. Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you.

Start with a screening

Jorge screens the well, explains the results and tells you which lab tests to add. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

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