Water Supply - Drinking Water and Water Use Permits

Drinking Water Regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department of Health (850) 245-4444 and the Water Management Districts (see below)

Water Use Permits (well construction and pumping allotment) are regulated by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD - 800-250-4200) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD - 800-492-7862)

There are two forms of drinking water sources: Public and Private

Public water supplies are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, the Florida Department of Health's   Public Drinking Water Systems Program has an agreement with the EPA to administer public drinking water programs in Florida's ten most populated counties: Broward, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Volusia.  Public water supplies must routinely test their water for safety and submit the test results to the EPA. They also send a report regarding test results to customers of the water supplier each year. 

Public drinking water supplies in Florida generally (not always) come from the deep and very clean Floridan aquifer, and due to the source and the nature of frequent testing of public water supply sources, public water is generally very clean and safe.  Therefore, unless you have lead pipes in your home, you will generally NOT need a filtration system for your public water.  Please contact our office (402-6545) or the County Health Department (386-6040) if you would like to discuss the need for a filtration system on your water supply.

The construction of private drinking water and all other wells in Highlands County is regulated by the South and Southwest Florida Water Management Districts.  Call the Southwest District at 800-492-7862 and the South District at 800-250-4200.  These are the same numbers to call if you have questions regarding Water Use Permits and Water Consumption.

However, if you have concerns about the quality of your water, contact the County Health Department at 386-6040.  They can also test your water for EDB (ethylene dibromide), nitrate, or fecal coliforms for a small fee - contact them for details.