What’s in your well water could hurt you.
This was clear after Hurricane Irma.
About a quarter of private wells had at least one contaminant at a level of potential health concern, according to a rare large-scale 2009 study of private wells by U.S. Geological Survey.
Private wells use ground water that can also be polluted by runoff, fertilizers and pesticides, failed septic tanks, underground fuel tanks, and landfill seepage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Just because it smells a little funny or looks a little funny doesn’t mean it has a lot of bad health effects.” The Florida health department “strongly recommends” private wells be tested for bacteria and nitrates at least once a year.
Lee health department also advises testing water for lead in homes built before 1986.
Health officials will pick up and test water samples for bacteria and nitrates for $115.
But there is no requirement for wells to be tested in Florida even when homes are sold.
For instance, Florida does not require pesticide-users to provide public information on applications.
California, in 1990, became the first state to require full reporting of agricultural pesticide use.