Groundwater Risks
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| Because we live
in Florida, we are lucky to have a plentiful source of
ground water. Ground water fills the cracks and pores
in sand, soil, and rocks that lie beneath the surface of the
earth, much like water saturates a sponge. These saturated
layers of earth are called aquifers, and they are the primary
source of drinking water in Florida. |
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Use this
(DOH link)
locator
to find contact information
for your local county
health
department's Environmental
Health office. This link
will
take you to a new page
which
has an interactive
map
of
Florida. |
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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.
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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 link): 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."
| To ensure that
your private water supply is safe and healthy, you should
understand the importance of
maintaining your own well and water system and
performing routine water quality tests.
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Test Your Well Water
Every Year - It's Simple and Inexpensive
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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 $20-30 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.
| While bacteria and nitrate are the most
common threats to your drinking water, your water well may
also be susceptible to other contaminants. Depending on past
and present land-use activities or other sources of
contamination in your neighborhood, additional water
tests may be recommended by your local health
department. In some cases, the health department may be able
to do testing for certain toxic substances free of charge. In
some counties, testing for naturally occurring
radiological contaminants
may also be recommended. Be sure to ask your local health
department if they recommend that you have your water tested
for any other contaminants besides bacteria and nitrate.
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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.
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(All open in a new window)
Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project,
Inc.
Southeast Rural
Community Assistance Project, Inc. has created a new
Individual Household Well Loan Program. This program
is designed to assist low to moderate income
individuals needing loans to construct,
refurbish and service their household well.
This entire process usually takes about 2 to 3
weeks. Should you know of anyone who can benefit
from this program, please refer them to Daniel
Lawson, Loan Fund Coordinator at 540.345.1184 ext.
135, or Sharon Thomas, Loan Fund Coordinator, ext.
122.
Here are links to more information on this program
was well as an Individual Well Loan Application:
The following are pdfs under 2mb:
Flyer
with general information about the program
Memo
Well Loan Application |
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Brochures (all open in new window) - click on a brochure to
view full size: |
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Information
for Real Estate Professionals:
(both pdfs open in a new window) |
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Brochure -
Buying or Selling Homes with Wells (<2mb pdf) |
Information Sheet -
Buying or Selling Homes with Wells (<2mb pdf) |
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(Those links that open in a new window
are indicated as such)
Information
for Tenants, Landlords and Business Owners: |
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Floridians should be aware
that in Florida, if a well provides water to 2 or more
rental residences, or if a well provides water to a home
that is used as a day care facility, group home, nursing
home or assisted living facility, then the well is
actually considered a Public Water System, NOT a private
well. Also, if a water well serves a business or
commercial establishment, it is considered a Public
Water System.
Public Water Systems are regulated by either the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) under the
(opens in a new window)
Safe Drinking Water Act, or the Florida Department
of Health (FDOH) under 381.0062 of the Florida Statutes
and Chapter 64E-8 of the Florida Administrative Code.
Typically, if a water system serves less than 25 people
and less than 15 service connections, then it is
regulated by the FDOH as a smaller
Limited Use Public Water System and if it serves
more than 25 people or more than 15 service connections,
then it is regulated by the FDEP as a larger (opens in a
new window)
Community or Non-Community Water System.
In either case, the owner of a Public Water System is
required to conduct routine water quality testing and to
properly maintain and operate the system according to
Florida rules. These requirements help to protect
residents, employees, and consumers from possible (opens
in a new window)
water contamination, and to prevent waterborne
diseases. For questions or concerns about a public water
system, please contact the Environmental Health Division
at your Local County Health Department.
The following pdfs open
in a new window.
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Last Updated: August 13, 2012 |
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