Drinking Water
In Florida, for the most part, residents obtain their drinking water from either a community water system, like that from municipality, or from a private well. Community water systems are regulated in Florida by the Department of Environmental Protection or by one of the Approved County Health Departments such as Volusia.The Volusia County Health Department Engineering staff ensures that community water systems meet the requirements of laws and rules pertaining to construction, treatment and distribution of public water. Community water system operators are required to perform regular monitoring and testing of the drinking water they provide to it's customers and, on an annual basis, a report regarding the testing of the water and any contaminants that may have been detected.Community water systems are required to provide minimum chlorine residual to prevent bacteriological contamination. This chlorine taste is disagreeable to some people, and is usually one of the reasons people buy bottled water. 
The other way that people obtain drinking water in Florida is from a private well drilled on the property where they live. This is the only reliable and safe way to get drinking water if a community or public water system is not available in the area. Well construction is regulated by the Water Management Districts (WMD), and in some areas of the state, by local health or environmental officials for the WMD. In Volusia County, well construction for small diameter wells (under six inches) isregulated by Volusia County Environmental Health Department. The main concern for private well owners is to ensure that wells are drilled meeting proper setbacks to any source of possible contamination. Also, testing of the well water at least annually for bacteria and nitrates is recommended, but not required. New wells constructed in Volusia County, must by county ordinance, have a bacteriological test, a nitrate test, and a chloride test prior to approval for drinking. Wells must be constructed a minimum of 75 feet from any septic tank system, and 25 feet from any house foundation that has been chemically treated for pests (termites, etc.) Ideally, wells should be drilled to a depth that places the well point into the Floridan aquifer and below any confining layer to protect against surficial aquifer contamination. Wells must be properly grouted to prevent contamination of the aquifer and the well. Properly constructed, maintained and monitored drinking water systems are safe for human consumption. Contact the local health department office for further information regarding your drinking water. |
These
days, many people are very concerned about the safety of their drinking
water.So much so, that many people have made the conscious decision
to purchase bottled water because of the perceived safety of bottled
water, and for some the taste is preferred over city or well water.It
is good that people are taking an interest in the safety of their
drinking water, also known as potable water. However, some people are
spending thousands of dollars on water treatment equipment that may not
be necessary because of unfounded fears of contaminated drinking water
supplies.