City & Well Water Problems and Solutions in South Florida

The Problem: Saltwater intrusion in SW Florida happens when salty water enters freshwater aquifers. It can increase sodium, chloride, and TDS in well water. High chloride levels can also contribute to plumbing corrosion.

The Solution: Whole-home reverse osmosis filtration is one of the most effective options for reducing dissolved salts. Certain Services can test your water and install an RO system based on your water quality, household size, and usage.

The Problem: Hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S, is a common cause of rotten egg odors in well water. It can occur naturally as groundwater moves through rocks, minerals, and organic material. Sulfur-reducing bacteria can also produce H2S in low-oxygen environments such as wells and plumbing systems. In some homes, the odor may come from reactions inside the water heater instead of the well itself.

Municipal water in SW Florida may have a chlorine or chloramine smell because these disinfectants are used during water treatment.

The Solution: Treatment depends on the cause. Activated carbon filtration can remove chlorine-related tastes and odors and low levels of hydrogen sulfide. Aeration and specialized filtration, like oxidation systems, can help address high levels of hydrogen sulfide in water.

The Problem: Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals can form scale inside plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. They can also react with soap and make it harder to create a good lather. This may leave behind soap residue on dishes, shower doors, and even skin and hair.

Skin can feel dry, and hair can feel dull or coated. Dryness can also result from minerals stripping away natural oils. Hard water can also make laundry feel stiff, fade colors, and require more detergent to get clothes clean.

The Solution: A water softener removes hard minerals through ion exchange before water reaches your taps. Certain Services, Inc., installs and services high-efficiency softeners and also offers salt delivery to Southwest Florida residences for added convenience.

The Problem: Iron occurs naturally in groundwater and is a documented groundwater concern in Florida. In a U.S. Geological Survey assessment of the Floridan Aquifer System, approximately 7% of untreated groundwater in the study area contained iron at concentrations above the EPA’s secondary drinking water benchmark of 0.3 mg/L. The findings show why local well water testing is important when homeowners notice rusty staining, sediment, or metallic-tasting water.

The Solution: Treatment may include iron filtration, air injection oxidation equipment, or a water softener for low iron levels. Testing helps determine which type of treatment will work best.

The Problem: Manganese occurs naturally in groundwater in South Florida, but levels vary from one well to another. Local geology, well depth, groundwater chemistry, and oxygen levels can all affect how much manganese is present. High levels of manganese in water have some associated health risks.

The Solution: A water test can determine whether manganese is present and at what level. Depending on the results, treatment may include specialized filtration, oxidation, distillation, water softening, and reverse osmosis.

The Problem: The Florida Department of Health specifically notes that bacteria can reach wells through poorly maintained septic systems, livestock areas, and poorly constructed wells. Bacteria may also enter South Florida wells through floodwater, surface runoff, or damaged well components. Heavy rain and flooding can increase the risk. A positive total coliform bacteria test may indicate that the well or groundwater is vulnerable to outside contamination.

The Solution: Laboratory testing can identify bacteria such as total coliform and E. coli. If bacteria are found, the well will need disinfection. Some treatment options may include UV water treatment or chemical disinfection.

The Problem: Nitrates can enter Florida groundwater from fertilizers, animal waste, septic systems, sewage, and other sources. Private wells can be more vulnerable when they are near these sources or are poorly constructed. High nitrate levels are especially dangerous for infants.

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection sets the drinking water standard for nitrates at 10 thousand micrograms per liter (10,000 ug/L). Private drinking water wells are not subject to mandatory sampling, but well owners are advised to have their wells tested for nitrates routinely.

The Solution: Private well owners should test for nitrates at least once a year. If levels are elevated, treatment such as reverse osmosis may be recommended based on the test results.

The Problem: Sediment can enter water from wells, plumbing, or other parts of the water system. It can clog fixtures and place extra strain on water treatment equipment.

The Solution: Sediment filtration can capture sand, dirt, and suspended particles before they move through the rest of your home’s plumbing.

The Problem: Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, measures dissolved minerals, salts, and other substances in water. Checking for elevated TDS can be especially important when evaluating coastal well water and possible saltwater intrusion.

The Solution: We can measure TDS during water testing. Depending on what is dissolved in the water, reverse osmosis or another treatment system may be recommended.

The Problem: Water chemistry in SW Florida can make water more corrosive to metal plumbing. High chloride levels and low pH are two conditions that may contribute to corrosion. Elevated copper or other metals may be present in your water as a result.

The Solution: Water quality testing helps identify the cause of acidic water. Treatment can then be designed to correct the water’s pH before it continues affecting plumbing and appliances. This might include an acid-neutralizing filter that uses minerals such as calcite to raise pH.

In some cases, a chemical feed system may be recommended to provide more precise pH adjustment. If high chloride levels are contributing to corrosion, reverse osmosis may also be needed.