Typical values from 51 sampled wells in Broward County · Full groundwater profile
Broward County Well Water at a Glance
Hard water with iron: 16.4 gpg and 1.02 ppm. The typical Broward well carries both scale-forming hardness and enough iron (above 0.3 ppm) to stain fixtures, and the water is harder than in 40 of the other 57 Florida counties with enough data.
Is it safe? Most sampled wells meet health limits; a yearly test confirms yours does.
What a typical home here installs:
- A spin-down or cartridge sediment filter first, so sand and scale do not foul the stages after it.
- A dedicated iron filter for the 1.02 ppm iron, ahead of any softener.
- A 48,000-grain water softener for a family of four at 16.4 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 Broward County homesOn city or county water instead? Your utility publishes an annual water quality report; this page covers private wells. Find your utility's report
On this page (7 sections)
Getting Your Well Tested in Broward County
- Florida Department of Health in Broward County, Environmental Public Health: 954-412-7334. 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 Broward 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 Broward County and nearby counties
Nearly all homes in Broward County, in Southeast Florida, are on public water. The Florida Department of Health's 2018 inventory counts 0.4% of built parcels, roughly 3,034 properties, on private wells, mostly on rural lots outside utility service areas.
Most groundwater pumped in Broward County comes from the Biscayne Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 51 local wells put the median hardness at 16.4 gpg (very hard) and median iron at 1.02 mg/L. The county's largest communities are Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Hollywood.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Broward County
Across 51 sampled wells, the median hardness is 16.4 gpg (very hard). At 16.4 gpg, Broward wells run softer than Collier (18.7 gpg) and about as hard as Miami-Dade (15.3 gpg) and Palm Beach (17.8 gpg) next door.
Another address? Check hardness by ZIP code.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessMedian 16.4 gpg; 98% of 51 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 - IronMedian 1.02 mg/L; 71% of 49 sampled wells above 0.3 mg/L
Stains sinks, toilets and laundry orange-brown and can taste metallic. The EPA aesthetic guideline is 0.3 mg/L. See how to choose an iron filter for your test result.
Iron filter sizing guide - Chloride (salinity)Median chloride 54 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
Hydrogen sulfide was above 0.1 mg/L in 7% of 29 wells tested in Broward County, so a rotten-egg smell is possible but not typical.
How Broward County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Broward County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Broward CountyBroward | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 98% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 71% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 25% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 26% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 0% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | 0% | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | 0% | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 16.4 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Sources: Water Quality Portal (since 2000); US: USGS Circular 1332. Highlighted: well above the US share.
See what a typical Broward County well needs
Pre-filled with the Broward medians. Swap in your own results.
Testing Your Well in Broward County
The Florida Department of Health in Broward 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 Broward 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
- Iron and manganese before choosing a filter
- 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, shock the well with the right bleach dose and retest 10 to 14 days later.
Nearby Counties
Broward County borders these counties with published reports:
Collier County
18.7 gpg hardness · Hardness, Hydrogen sulfideHendry County
18 gpg hardness · Hardness, IronMiami-Dade County
15.3 gpg hardness · Hardness, IronPalm Beach County
17.8 gpg hardness · Hardness, Hydrogen sulfideCounties with similar well water
Farther away, these Florida counties share the same main water issues:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is well water in Broward County safe to drink?
Generally yes in the records: health limits are rarely exceeded in the 51 Broward wells sampled. The common problems here (hardness and iron) affect taste, stains and plumbing, not health. Bacteria and nitrate can still turn up in any well, so test once a year.
How many homes in Broward County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2018 data) found 0.4% of built parcels in Broward County on private wells, roughly 3,034 properties.
How hard is well water in Broward County?
Very hard. The median Broward well tests at 16.4 grains per gallon across 51 sampled wells (Florida median: 12.4 gpg), and 98% are above the 7 gpg mark where most homes add a softener.
Is iron a problem in Broward County well water?
For many homes: 71% of 49 sampled Broward wells are above 0.3 mg/L, with a median of 1.02 mg/L. Expect orange stains unless iron is filtered out ahead of any softener.
Why does my well water smell like rotten eggs in Broward County?
Hydrogen sulfide was above 0.1 mg/L in 7% of 29 wells tested in Broward County, so a rotten-egg smell is possible but not typical. The smell is a nuisance rather than a health risk at typical levels.
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Broward 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 Broward 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 Broward County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.