LIVE OAK, FLA., Mar. 15, 2019 – There are many responsibilities that come with owning a home. One responsibility includes taking care of the domestic self-supply well that provides families with water for drinking, bathing and cleaning. If the well is not care for properly, then water quality can be impacted.
To educate home owners and businesses about how to be a responsible well owner, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) developed a Well Wellness educational campaign that focuses on well ownership, maintenance, codes and proper abandonment.
“Domestic self-supply wells are widely used in North Florida. They draw water directly from the Floridan Aquifer which is an excellent water source of high quality” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “It is important for citizens to understand that poor maintenance and lack of care of a well can impact the Floridan Aquifer and overall water quality.”
To minimize impacts on the Floridan Aquifer and water quality, well owners must follow specific guidelines. Domestic self-supply wells must:
- Maintain a water tight seal,
- Be located at least 75 feet away from the nearest septic system, and
- Have at least a 12-inch stick up.
Flooding and high-water events can sometimes impact wells. If a well owner or resident lives near a water body that has flooded, the District recommends having the water tested. Additionally, a well owner should also test the water quality of their well annually to ensure contaminants or other bacteria have not infiltrated his or her drinking water. Florida Department of Health (DOH) county offices will provide residents and businesses with the necessary information and materials to test for nutrients and bacteria in the wells.
The Well Wellness campaign features four educational videos and several graphics published on the District’s social media platforms and website during the month of March.
The District issues an average of 110 permits for the construction of domestic self-supply wells per month and 8.3 percent of the District’s total water use comes from domestic self-supply wells. The District also keeps well records and completion reports on the District website for the public to view.
To know if your well is healthy and functional, follow our campaign on Facebook and YouTube!