What gets checked
| Measurement | Why it matters on WASD water |
|---|---|
| Total chlorine / chloramine | WASD disinfects with chloramine; this is what most people taste and smell |
| Hardness | Orr lime-treats the water, so measured hardness decides if a softener helps |
| pH | Affects taste and how some media perform |
| Total dissolved solids | A baseline for drinking water and RO performance |
| Iron (if relevant) | Rust or orange stains, especially from irrigation wells |
Read the utility's report alongside it
WASD's annual Water Quality Report covers lab testing done across its system, including results for disinfection byproducts, fluoride, PFAS and lead and copper sampling at homes. For Westchester, look at the Main System column; the Orr plant serves customers south of SW 8 Street. Jorge's tap readings show what is reaching your fixtures today; the report shows the utility's year of lab results.
When to use a certified lab instead
- Private drinking well: the Florida Department of Health recommends testing at least yearly for bacteria and nitrate, and coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead when a home is bought or sold.
- Lead concerns in an older home: WASD publishes its lead service line inventory at miamidade.gov/knowyourpipes, and its lab can be reached about lead sampling.
- A specific contaminant like PFAS: ask a certified lab which method it uses.
See home screening vs. lab analysis.
How the visit goes
- Jorge asks what you notice: smell, spots, stains, skin feel, taste.
- He tests at the kitchen tap and, if useful, a bathroom, the hot side, or the irrigation spigot.
- He explains each number and what it means for equipment.
- If something fits, he recommends it with an itemized quote. If nothing does, he says so.
More detail: what happens during a home water assessment.
Westchester-specific things worth testing
- Hot versus cold: in older homes with older heaters, the hot side can tell a different story.
- Irrigation spigot: if sprinklers run from a well, its iron reading explains stains on walls and walks.
- After a free-chlorine period: readings shift when WASD temporarily switches disinfectants, so Jorge notes the date.
After the test
You keep the readings. If Jorge recommends equipment, the quote is itemized and you can take your time. If the water and your concerns do not call for anything, he says so. Either way, you know more about your water than you did.
Will I get the results? Yes. Jorge explains each reading during the visit.
Book it
Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974. Bring your questions, and your water bill if you are not sure whether you are on WASD or a well.
https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/water/documents/2025-water-quality-report.pdf
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