Drinking Water

Private Wells

Private well owners are responsible for ensuring that their well water is safe to drink. The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends that private well water is tested for bacteria and chemicals at least annually. It is simple, affordable, and a great way to assure that the water is safe for you and your family to use.

Wells can become contaminated from bacteria and nitrates for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is obvious, when flood waters enter the well, but many times it is not as obvious, for example when septic tanks fail, fertilizers seep into the ground water, or into streams and canals, or someone illegally dumps chemicals or sewage. Either way drinking contaminated water can make you and your family ill. Superchlorination followed by dechlorination is the most common solution for potential bacteria in the water supply. As a service to the community, the Florida Department of Health in Collier County has sample bottles for purchase and will submit your samples to a certified lab, interpret the results, and provide guidance on how to disinfect the well if the water is contaminated. We strongly recommend you annually test your well for bacterial contamination and nitrates. You may bring a nitrate water sample to any NELAC certified lab for analysis that conducts the Nitrate test.

• How to disinfect
• How to collect sample
• Private Drinking Water Wells Fact Sheet
• Is Your Well Water Well?