City wells vs. your well
The City of Sunrise operates four well fields in the Biscayne Aquifer, then softens and disinfects the water at its Springtree, Sawgrass and Southwest plants before delivery. Water from a private well on your lot comes from the same general groundwater but skips all of that treatment. That is why it can be harder, carry iron and sulfur, and needs its own testing.
Irrigation wells
An irrigation well only feeds sprinklers, so the concern is usually staining and equipment, not drinking water. Iron is the typical issue; see orange and rust stains in Sunrise. Make sure an irrigation well is never cross-connected with your home's drinking water plumbing.
Private drinking wells
The Florida Department of Health explains that private well owners are responsible for their own well's water quality, while public systems are tested routinely. It recommends testing for bacteria and nitrate, and it notes these can reach wells through poorly maintained septic systems, fertilizer, or poorly constructed wells. Use a state-certified lab for those results; the Florida DEP has a searchable list.
How a well system is configured
Living Water builds the system from the well's test results, not a fixed package. Depending on the water, stages can include:
- Oxidation and filtration for iron and hydrogen sulfide.
- Ion-exchange softening for hardness.
- An under-sink RO for drinking water.
- Disinfection options, if the lab results call for them; see UV vs. RO for well water.
See the well water system page.
What Jorge checks on a well
Iron, hardness, pH, hydrogen sulfide and dissolved solids at the well and at the house, plus the pump and pressure tank setup, so equipment is matched to flow. Bacteria and nitrate results should come from a certified lab. Cost drivers are covered in well water treatment cost in Florida.
Protecting the well itself
Keep the wellhead capped and above grade, keep fertilizer and pool backwash away from it, and retest after flooding, repairs or any change in taste, odor or color. If a septic system is nearby, keep it maintained. These steps come straight from the kind of risks the Florida Department of Health lists for private wells.
https://www.sunrisefl.gov/departments-services/utilities/water-quality
https://www.sunrisefl.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11722/639149626652530000
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist