Drinking Water

Well Water Toxics

Discovery of extensive groundwater contamination of wells with ethylene dibromide (EDB) in the early 1980's led to widespread public concern about the water quality of Florida's private potable wells.  DOH conducts investigation of wells or areas that may be at risk due to chemical release and to provide an alternative water source to a homeowner whose well is found to contain contaminants above the primary Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) or Health Advisory Level (HAL). These terms are explained here.

Chemical Contaminants HALs and Fact Sheets

View Florida's Maximum Contaminant/Health Advisory Levels and Chemical Fact Sheets with information on 20 specific chemicals here.

Delineated Contamination Areas

"Delineated Contamination Areas" program is described in rules in Chapter 62-524 of the Florida Administrative Code, this rule defines the areas, helpful links, emails, addresses and contact phone numbers which apply to these areas, ways of identifying, or delineating, areas of groundwater contamination, email, phone list for the "Delineated Areas Program" and helpful links are found here.

Limited Use Public Water Systems

Limited Use Public Water Systems (public water systems which are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act), multi-family water systems, and private water systems.  Definitions for these systems and statutory authorization are found in section 381.0062 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 64E-8 of the Florida Administrative Code establishes the rules to implement the statutes.  It includes setback standards for private water systems, construction standards for multi-family water systems, and construction and operation standards for limited use public water systems. Chapter 64E-8, and associated forms are also found here.

Well Construction

The construction of drinking water supply wells is regulated by Chapter 62-532 of the Florida Administrative Code.  Learn about agencies that issue drinking water well construction permits. 

Cattle Dip Vats

Cattle dip vats explained, a listing of numbers of vats per county.  Water Contamination Maps and Charts - Maps of Areas with Well Contamination are also found here.

Public Drinking Water Systems

Information on construction and operation of all public drinking water systems can be found here.  (We are involved through the "Safe Drinking Water Act", or SDWA)

Emergency Well Information

Guidelines for the issuance of precautionary Boil Water Notices can be found here, including:

I. Authority and Intent
II. Implementation and Interdepartmental Coordination
III. Types of Incidents
IV. Disaster Related Events
V. Content of Precautionary Boil Water Notices
VI. Rescission of Boil Water Notices
Attachment A, Precautionary Boil Water Notice
Attachment B, Recision of Precautionary Boil Water Notice
Attachment C, Best Management Practices for Water Main Breaks and Repairs

Water Section Phone List

Here you will see a list of helpful phone numbers of those who test, analyze and post well water information in Florida as part of various programs.

Well Surveys

Here you will find information on formal well surveys of public and private wells in Florida.