Due to its protected location underground, most ground water is naturally clean and free of contaminants. Unfortunately, Florida's aquifers can become contaminated by chemicals and microbes that can cause illness. Bacteria and nitrate can reach the ground water and wells through poorly maintained septic systems, livestock areas and fertilizer application, or as a result of poorly constructed wells. Chemicals can enter into the ground water from leaking gasoline storage tanks, pesticide applications, landfills, and improper disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. As a private well owner, you should be aware of these potential risks to the ground water and your household water supply. Do you have a well? About 80% of Florida's residents are served by public water systems covered by the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts. The other 20% receive their water from "limited-use" public water systems and private wells. While all public water systems in Florida are required to perform routine testing to ensure that they meet state drinking water standards, private well owners are responsible for ensuring that their OWN well water is safe to drink. The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that consumption of contaminated drinking water in the United States has resulted in thousands of cases of illness each year. Contaminated drinking water can cause a number of diseases, and is sometimes fatal. The most common contaminants are microbes and nitrate.

Microbes: Many types of bacteria themselves are generally not harmful,
but their presence is an indication that other harmful bacteria, viruses,
or parasites may also be present. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are some
of the most common symptoms resulting from drinking water that is
contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Nitrate (DOH): High levels of nitrate in drinking water can pose an immediate
threat to infant children. When consumed, nitrate is known to react with hemoglobin
in the blood causing an anemic condition known as the "blue baby syndrome."

If you have a private well, the Department of Health strongly recommends that you test your water for bacteria and nitrate at least once per year. Routine water testing is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to ensure that your water supply is safe and to protect your family's health. Your local county health department can provide you with instructions on how to collect the water samples yourself and to have them tested (usually $10-20 per sample). In some cases, local health department staff can come to your home and collect the samples for you, if you wish, for an additional fee (additional $30-$40 per visit). Private state-certified laboratories are also available to perform water testing and can be located in the phone book, by searching DEP's online laboratory listing, or by asking your local health department for a listing.

Be sure to always use a state-certified laboratory to ensure that the results are valid. Your local county health department can help you understand your test results and advise you on measures you should take should the results show that your well water is contaminated. You may need to disinfect your well, repair your water system, or install treatment equipment. Again, be sure to use a state-certified laboratory to test your water to protect yourself from water treatment equipment sales companies that may try to sell you unnecessary treatment equipment.

Use the locator above to find contact information for your local county health department's Environmental Health office.
 

Center's for Disease Control CDC's private well information page - includes fact sheets on water well contaminants     Environmental Protection Agency EPA's comprehensive site for private water wells, including well disinfection instructions. EPA Recommended Disinfection procedure Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water Frequently Asked Questions Tap Into Prevention: Drinking Water Information for Health Care Providers     - A Continuing Education Video   Florida Department of Environmental Protection DEP's state-certified laboratory search tool. DEP's contamination delineated areas in Florida     National Groundwater Association Information on water quality, testing & Groundwater Awareness Week Well Maintenance Checklist Groundwater Adventurers - activities and experiments for children in grades K-12   Florida's Five Water Management Districts - license water well contractors and issue permits for water well construction. (all open in a new window) Northwest Florida Suwannee River St. Johns River Southwest Florida  South Florida       American Groundwater Trust - privatewellowner.org - Information on groundwater, wells, and water testing. Florida Department of Health's Drinking Water Toxics Program (DOH) NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) - Informational site for homeowner's using well water Water Health Connection: Physician On-line Reference Guide, sponsored by the American College of Preventive Medicine; resources and educational tools to assist health care professionals in the recognition of waterborne disease and the health effects of water pollution. Water Systems Council - Wellcare Hotline, Well diagram, FAQ's, fact sheets, PSA's, and more.

Brochures (all open in new window) - click on a brochure to view full size:

Are You Well Aware?(<1MB pdf) What Should I do If My Well is Flooded? (<2mb pdf) Drinking Water: Is Yours Safe (<2mb pdf)  Groundwater Basics (2mb pdf) US EPA Water on Tap (<2mb zip) Homeowner's Guide to Your Well(<2mb pdf) Buying a Home with a Well (<2mb pdf)   Information for Real Estate Professionals:   Brochure -  Buying or Selling Homes with Wells (<2mb pdf) Information Sheet -  Buying or Selling Homes with Wells (<2mb pdf)