Recap: Private Well 101 – Understanding Your Well and Water Basics - UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Last Updated on September 4, 2026 by Yilin Zhuang

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Private Well 101: Understanding Your Well and Water Basics webinar, hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Well Owner Network (FWON). We had participants joining from across Florida and a great set of questions throughout the session!

What We Covered

This webinar provided an overview of Florida’s groundwater resources, private well components, water quality concerns, and best practices for maintaining a private well. Topics included:

Florida’s groundwater and aquifer systems. Participants learned where Florida’s drinking water comes from, including the Floridan Aquifer System and other aquifers used throughout the state. The webinar also covered how aquifer geology can influence water chemistry and why some aquifers may be more vulnerable to contamination.
Private well basics. The webinar introduced the major components of a private well, including the casing, well screen, grout, sanitary well cap, screened vent, pump, and pressure tank. Participants also learned about different types of wells, including drilled, driven, and dug wells.
Sources of well water contamination. Contaminants can enter private well systems from both inside and outside the home. Potential sources include plumbing materials, water treatment systems, flooding, fertilizers, pesticides, septic systems, and naturally occurring substances in groundwater.
What to test for and how often. Private well owners were encouraged to test their water annually for basic parameters such as coliform bacteria, nitrate, lead, and pH. Additional testing may be appropriate following well repairs, pump replacement, installation of a new well, or other changes to the well system. Local contaminants of concern should also be considered.
Where to get well water tested. Participants learned why certified drinking water laboratories are recommended for private well testing and how to find certified laboratories through the Florida Department of Health or a local health department. Home testing kits may be useful for some water-quality characteristics, but they may not be sensitive enough to reliably identify contaminants that can affect human health.
Recognizing changes in water quality. The webinar covered common changes in water appearance, taste, and smell that may indicate a need for further investigation or testing. Changes such as staining, cloudy water, salty or metallic tastes, and unusual odors can provide clues about potential water-quality concerns.
Private well maintenance. Best practices included inspecting the wellhead and cap annually, keeping records of well construction and maintenance, maintaining a safe area around the well, keeping potential contamination sources away from the wellhead, and inspecting the system following major storm events or flooding.

Audience Q&A Highlights

How can I find information about my private well, including its depth and which aquifer it draws from?

The best way to determine where your well water comes from is to look at information about how and where the well was constructed and permitted. Your well contractor may have this information if the contractor is still available.

For older wells, or if you do not know who constructed the well, you can contact your local water management district or county health department to ask whether they have information about your well and its water source.

Depending on where you live, this may be your regional water management district, county health department or local government. This map shows which agency or entity manages well permitting in each Florida region: Well permitting agencies in Florida.

Where should I collect a water sample for testing?

The best sampling location depends on what you are trying to determine.

If your primary concern is whether the water you drink is safe, collecting a sample from the faucet where you normally obtain drinking water can provide useful information. If you are trying to determine whether a problem is originating from the well itself or from the household plumbing, samples can be collected from different locations, such as the wellhead and inside the home.

If a problem is identified, comparing samples from different locations can help determine where the issue may be occurring.

Does total coliform count of 2 pose a problem?

Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves, but their presence indicates that there may be a pathway for microorganisms to enter the well or plumbing system. For drinking water, the public health goal for total coliform is zero. For a private well, a positive total coliform result is a reason to investigate possible sources of contamination and follow appropriate retesting and corrective steps.

How do I shock chlorinate my private well?

Shock chlorination is a method used to disinfect a well system. The webinar recommended using unscented household bleach diluted with water and emphasized that the amount needed depends on the well’s depth and diameter.

Because the process involves disinfecting both the well and household plumbing, homeowners should follow an established shock-chlorination procedure carefully. The Florida Well Owner Network provides a publication on Bacterial Contamination and Shock Chlorination outlining the process step-by-step.

If hiring a contractor, homeowners should make sure the procedure is performed correctly. Undiluted bleach should not simply be poured into the well because excessive concentrations can potentially harm the well system.

Do refrigerator water filters help improve private well water?

Many refrigerator water filters use activated carbon, which can help remove certain impurities from water. However, carbon filters are not a solution for bacterial contamination.

If bacteria are present in well water, a carbon filter can potentially provide a place for bacterial growth rather than eliminating the problem. Before purchasing or installing a water treatment system, homeowners should first understand the quality of their well water and select treatment based on the specific contaminants present.

Homeowners should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing carbon filters because their effectiveness decreases over time.

If I have hose bibs that I use for gardening, including some attached to the house, do they need backflow prevention devices?

If the hose bib is connected to your household drinking water system, installing a hose-bib vacuum breaker or backflow preventer is a good practice. It helps prevent water from the garden hose from being siphoned back into your household water supply. This is especially important if the hose is used with fertilizer or pesticide applicators, connected to irrigation equipment, or could be submerged in standing water.

My well previously tested for arsenic. Does arsenic ever go away or get better over time?

Arsenic does not break down or disappear over time because it is an element. If arsenic is related to historical land-use activities, such as past use of arsenic-containing pesticides, it can remain in the environment long after those activities have stopped.

However, the amount of arsenic that moves into groundwater and reaches a particular well can change over time depending on soil and groundwater conditions. So, a previous arsenic result does not necessarily mean the concentration will always stay the same.

If arsenic has been detected in your well before, have the water retested by a certified laboratory rather than assuming the arsenic has gone away. How often to retest depends on the previous arsenic concentration, local conditions, and whether a treatment system is being used. Some state and Extension programs recommend annual testing when arsenic has previously been detected, particularly when concentrations are near or above the drinking water standard of 10 µg/L (10 ppb). For recommendations specific to your well and previous test results, contact your county health department.

What are your thoughts on having a hand pump attached to your well in case of a power outage?

A hand pump can provide a backup source of water during a power outage, but whether it is practical depends on your well. The well depth, water level, casing size, and existing pump configuration all affect whether a hand pump can be installed and what type would be needed. Simple hand pumps are generally limited by how far they can lift water, while pumps designed for deeper wells use a different configuration.

If you are considering adding one, work with a licensed well contractor to determine whether it is compatible with your well and to make sure the installation does not create an opening or other pathway for contaminants to enter the well.

Also, remember that having a hand pump does not guarantee that the water is safe to drink after a hurricane or flooding. If the well has been flooded or may have been contaminated, follow appropriate well testing and disinfection guidance before using the water for drinking.

I have ants around my well. Is it okay to use pesticides around the wellhead? If not, how far away should I keep pesticide treatments?

Be cautious when using pesticides near a well because you want to prevent pesticides from entering the well or groundwater. Avoid applying liquid pesticides directly around the wellhead, and always follow the pesticide label, including any restrictions related to wells, water, or application near water.

For ants, baiting can be a good alternative to liquid pesticide applications. Granular ant baits can be placed where ants will forage and carry the bait back to the colony. Depending on the product and label directions, baits may also be placed in appropriate bait stations.

It is also helpful to identify the type of ant because different ant species have different foraging distances and behaviors. This can help determine where bait should be placed rather than applying pesticide immediately around the well.

If you are unsure which treatment or placement is appropriate, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office for help identifying the ants and selecting an appropriate management approach. Always read and follow the pesticide label.

Should water heaters be cleaned or sanitized as well?

Water heaters should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. For tank-style water heaters, periodic draining can help remove sediment that accumulates in the tank. UF/IFAS Extension recommends draining about a quart of water every 3 to 6 months and following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific unit.

Routine maintenance is different from sanitizing or disinfecting the water heater. Whether disinfection is needed depends on the situation. For example, if you are disinfecting a private well because of bacterial contamination, the water heater and household plumbing may also need to be considered as part of the overall plumbing system. Follow the well disinfection procedure carefully or consult a qualified professional if you are unsure.

Do you have a list of certified well inspectors?

We do not manage a list of certified well inspectors and contractors. Contact your local water management district to ask how to access a list of current, certified well contractors. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) provides links to each water management district on the following site: FDEP Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting

If my well casing needs to be raised, should I hire a professional rather than try to do it myself?

Yes. You should hire a licensed water well contractor to modify the casing in any way. The contractor can increase the height of the well casing above the ground to meet the recommended 12 -inch height to help reduce the risk of contamination during flooding events.

Are artesian wells allowed in Florida?

Yes, free-flowing artesian wells are allowed in Florida, but they are they are regulated to prevent wasting water and aquifer contamination. Regulations for artesian wells are summarized in Florida Statutes Chapter 373.209.

What is the difference between a household drinking water well and a free-flowing artesian well used for agriculture?

Artesian wells are wells where the pressure underground naturally pushes water up to the land surface without needing a pump. Although household wells can also be artesian wells, most are drilled or driven. Drilled or driven wells tap into an aquifer and a pump is needed to bring the water up to the surface.

If you submitted a question during the webinar and do not see it addressed here, please contact us. Some questions may require additional information or clarification before we can provide an accurate response. We are happy to follow up with you.

Watch the Recording

Water Testing Kit Drawing

Participants who completed all quizzes during the webinar were entered into a drawing for a home water testing kit. Quiz answers did not need to be correct to qualify. The drawing was held after the webinar series and livestreamed on the UF/IFAS Extension Central Florida Water Resources Facebook page.

Additional Resources

For more information about private wells, septic systems, and water quality, explore the resources listed above or visit the Florida Well Owner Network website.

Prepared by: Sofia Cordoba, Andrea Albertin, and Yilin Zhuang.