Two very different waters
| City of West Palm Beach water | Private well | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Grassy Waters Preserve, Lake Mangonia and Clear Lake | Groundwater beneath the property |
| Treatment | Lime softening, filtration, UV, chloramine | None unless you add it |
| Testing | More than 2,500 tests a month, per the city | Up to the owner |
| Common issues | Disinfectant taste and odor | Iron, hardness, hydrogen sulfide, bacteria |
The city itself uses groundwater only as a backup, through an aquifer storage and recovery well and wellfield management, according to its 2025 report.
Irrigation wells
An irrigation well is not for drinking, but it shapes how a property looks. Iron in the water leaves orange stains on walls, walks and pool decks, and sediment can clog sprinkler heads. See rust stains in West Palm Beach. Treatment is placed on the irrigation line, sized to the pump's flow.
Drinking wells: what Florida DOH recommends
- Test for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year.
- Test for lead about every three years for most homeowners.
- Retest after flooding, well repairs, or any change in taste, color or odor.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County runs its Environmental Laboratory in West Palm Beach, testing drinking water for total coliform and E. coli. It offers sampling instructions in English, Spanish and Creole, and staff can collect samples on request. Call 561-840-4500.
Building a well system
Based on the test, a well setup may include:
- Sediment filtration.
- Iron and hydrogen sulfide reduction.
- An ion-exchange softener if hardness is high.
- Under-sink RO for drinking water.
- Disinfection equipment if a lab test shows a bacteria concern; see UV vs. RO for well water.
Living Water configures well treatment from the well's test; see well water systems.
City water, county water or a well?
Around West Palm Beach, a home can be on city water, on Palm Beach County Water Utilities, or on a private well. The county's 2024 report says it draws groundwater from the Biscayne and Floridan Aquifers and treats it at its own plants. A private well draws from groundwater too, but without any of that treatment. If you are buying a home, ask which one it is; it changes what you need to test and what equipment, if any, makes sense.
What Jorge checks
- Iron, hardness, pH and dissolved solids.
- Odor on hot and cold taps.
- Pump flow and pressure.
- Whether the well serves the house, the irrigation or both.
He will recommend a certified lab test first when it is needed. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.wpb.org/files/assets/city/v/2/public-utilities/documents/water-quality-reports/2025westpalmbeach-webreport.pdf
https://www.wpb.org/Departments/Public-Utilities/Protecting-Water-Quality-Source-to-Tap
https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/environmental-public-health/water-quality/drinking-water/private-wells/
https://palmbeach.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/water-lab/
https://discover.pbcgov.org/waterutilities/PubDoc/CCR_2024.pdf
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist