Private Well Water After Heavy Rain: What to Check

If floodwater reached the well

Use commercially bottled water for drinking and cooking while you arrange guidance and testing. Contact your county health department or a qualified well professional about the well and its plumbing.

Floodwater can carry germs and other contamination. Florida DOH provides specific instructions for flooded wells, including disinfection and laboratory testing. Follow that guidance before returning to normal use.

Look for changes and damage

Check for water around the wellhead, a damaged cap, exposed wiring or a sudden change in color, odor or clarity. Report those observations to the well professional.

Do not use taste as a test. Bacteria and nitrate can be present without an obvious change in the water.

Test for the question you need answered

Florida DOH recommends annual bacteria and nitrate testing for private wells. Flooding, repairs and changes in water quality are additional reasons to ask about testing.

Use the laboratory’s containers and sampling instructions. Tell it about the storm, repairs and any treatment equipment so the sampling plan fits the situation.

Recheck the treatment equipment

A flood or disinfection process can affect cartridges, membranes and other treatment parts. Have the equipment checked as part of restoring the water system.

A softener handles hardness; it is not well disinfection. Keep the immediate contamination response separate from choosing equipment for routine use.

Build an ongoing water plan

Once the well is cleared for normal use, use its results to choose treatment for hardness, sediment, taste or named contaminants. Keep a record of tests and replacement dates.

If you want to discuss a treatment setup, send Sunstorm your well results and project details. For an active flooded-well problem, start with the health department and well professional.