Typical values from 38 sampled wells in Pinellas County · Full groundwater profile
What Pinellas County Wells Usually Need
Very hard water: 18.9 gpg. At 18.9 grains per gallon, well water in Pinellas County is harder than in 47 of the other 57 Florida counties with enough data.
Is it safe? Usually, going by local records, but confirm with a yearly bacteria and nitrate test.
What a typical home here installs:
- A whole-house sediment filter first, so sand and scale do not foul the stages after it.
- A softener in the 48,000-grain range for a family of four at 18.9 gpg (includes 5 gpg per ppm of iron).
See how a well water filtration system is laid out. Your own test result decides the final list.
Not sure what to install? Get a filter recommendation for Pinellas County homesIf your water comes from a utility, its annual Consumer Confidence Report is the right source; the figures here are for private wells. Find your utility's report
On this page (7 sections)
Getting Your Well Tested in Pinellas County
- Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County: 727-824-6900. Well testing details
- Certified labs: how to find a state-certified lab (FDOH)
Contacts as listed on the official page, checked November 2026. Call before you go; hours and fees change.
What Are You Noticing in Your Water?
Pre-selected from Pinellas County well data. Untick anything you do not notice in your own water.
Confirm with a lab test before buying equipment.
Explore Florida Interactive Map
Explore Pinellas County and nearby counties
Nearly all homes in Pinellas County, in Central Florida, are on public water. The Florida Department of Health's 2023 inventory counts 0.1% of built parcels, roughly 635 properties, on private wells, mostly on rural lots outside utility service areas.
Most groundwater pumped in Pinellas County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 38 local wells put the median hardness at 18.9 gpg (very hard) and median iron at 0.12 mg/L. The county's largest communities are St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Pinellas County
Across 38 sampled wells, the median hardness is 18.9 gpg (very hard). At 18.9 gpg, Pinellas wells run harder than Hillsborough (14.1 gpg) and Pasco (10.6 gpg) next door.
Another address? Check hardness by ZIP code.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessMedian 18.9 gpg; 95% of 38 sampled wells above 7 gpg
Calcium and magnesium dissolved from limestone. Leaves scale on fixtures and water heaters and reduces soap lather. Not a health risk.
Water softener sizing - Chloride (salinity)Median chloride 242 mg/L
A salty taste and faster corrosion, often a sign of saltwater intrusion. The EPA aesthetic guideline is 250 mg/L.
Reverse osmosis guide
How Pinellas County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Pinellas County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Pinellas CountyPinellas | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 95% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 31% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 6% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 55% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 5% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 18.9 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Sources: Water Quality Portal (since 2000); US: USGS Circular 1332. Highlighted: well above the US share.
See what a typical Pinellas County well needs
Pre-filled with the Pinellas medians. Swap in your own results.
Testing Your Well in Pinellas County
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County oversees private well permitting in the county and investigates suspected contamination. For routine bacteria, nitrate or full-panel tests, use a laboratory certified by the Florida Department of Health.
What to test for in Pinellas County:
- Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrate, at least once a year (Florida Department of Health recommendation)
- Hardness in grains per gallon (gpg) to size a softener
- Chloride and sodium, to catch saltwater intrusion
- After any flood, new well work or a change in taste, color or smell
Which tests to order and how: how to test well water.
After a positive coliform test, work out the bleach dose and shock the well and retest 10 to 14 days later.
Nearby Counties
Pinellas County borders these counties with published reports:
Hillsborough County
14.1 gpg hardness · Hardness, Hydrogen sulfidePasco County
10.6 gpg hardness · Hardness, IronCounties with similar well water
Not next door, but the groundwater is much the same:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is well water in Pinellas County safe to drink?
Usually, as far as public records go: no health-based limit is commonly exceeded across 38 sampled Pinellas wells. The common problems here (hardness) affect taste, stains and plumbing, not health. Still test for bacteria and nitrate every year, because county data cannot vouch for a single well.
How many homes in Pinellas County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2023 data) found 0.1% of built parcels in Pinellas County on private wells, roughly 635 properties.
How hard is well water in Pinellas County?
18.9 gpg (324 mg/L) in the typical well, based on 38 samples: very hard on the USGS scale, against a Florida median of 12.4 gpg. 95% of sampled wells top 7 gpg, where a softener usually pays off.
Is iron a problem in Pinellas County well water?
Usually not. Across 35 sampled wells the median is 0.12 mg/L, under the 0.3 mg/L stain threshold, though 31% of wells exceed it. If your fixtures stain, test for iron and manganese before buying a filter.
Why does my well water smell like rotten eggs in Pinellas County?
The data cannot say: just 1 Pinellas wells were tested for hydrogen sulfide. If your water smells, test for sulfide, and if the smell is only in hot water, check the water heater anode rod. It is unpleasant but rarely a health risk.
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Pinellas County?
Only against germs. A one-minute rolling boil kills bacteria after a positive test or a boil water notice, but it leaves minerals and chemicals behind in less water. See what boiling can and cannot fix.
How often should I test my well water in Pinellas County?
The Florida Department of Health recommends testing private wells for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year, and again after flooding or well repairs. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.