Typical values from 10 sampled wells in Glades County · Full groundwater profile
What Are You Noticing in Your Water?
Based on the contaminants most commonly reported in this region. Always confirm with a certified lab water test before buying equipment.
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Most homes in Glades County, in Southwest Florida, are on public water, but 29.7% of built parcels, roughly 1,542 properties, still draw drinking water from a private well, according to the Florida Department of Health's 2018 inventory.
Most groundwater pumped in Glades County comes from the Surficial Aquifer System, with a significant share also from the Intermediate Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 10 local wells put the median hardness at 15 gpg (very hard) and median iron at 0.08 mg/L. The county's largest communities are Moore Haven, Buckhead Ridge and Port LaBelle.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Glades County
Most groundwater pumped in Glades County comes from the Surficial Aquifer System, with a significant share also from the Intermediate Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 10 sampled wells, the median hardness is 15 gpg, which the USGS classes as very hard. It applies to wells across Glades County, including around Moore Haven, Buckhead Ridge and Port LaBelle.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessLimited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended.
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 428 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 (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Glades County wells, too few to say how common it is. Limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended. If you notice the smell, a sulfide test confirms it.
How Glades County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Glades County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Glades CountyGlades | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | Limited data | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | Limited data | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | Limited data | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 40% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 8% | 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 | 15 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.5 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Glades County and Florida: share of sampled wells (all well types, samples since 2000) whose typical value exceeds the level, from the Water Quality Portal. United States: USGS Circular 1332, about 2,100 domestic wells in 48 states sampled 1991 to 2004. Well types and years differ, so read this as a broad comparison. Highlighted cells are well above the national share.
See what a typical Glades County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Glades County median values (15 gpg hardness, 0.08 ppm iron, pH 7.5) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Glades County
The Florida Department of Health in Glades 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 Glades 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
The Florida Department of Health in Glades County can explain how to collect samples and where to send them. Statewide guidance is on the FDOH private well testing page, and our guide to how to test well water covers which tests to order.
Nearby Counties
Glades County borders these counties with published reports:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes in Glades County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2018 data) found 29.7% of built parcels in Glades County on private wells, roughly 1,542 properties.
How hard is well water in Glades County?
Groundwater samples from 10 wells in Glades County have a median hardness of 15 grains per gallon (256 mg/L), which the USGS classes as very hard. Limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended. The Florida statewide median is 12.4 gpg.
Is iron a problem in Glades County well water?
The median iron level across 10 sampled wells is 0.08 mg/L, below the EPA aesthetic guideline of 0.3 mg/L (limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended). Most wells will not stain, but if yours does, a lab test tells you whether iron or manganese is the cause.
Why does my well water smell like rotten eggs in Glades County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Glades County wells, too few to say how common it is. Limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended. If you notice the smell, a sulfide test confirms it. The smell is a nuisance rather than a health risk at typical levels.
Which aquifer supplies wells in Glades County?
Most groundwater pumped in Glades County comes from the Surficial Aquifer System, with a significant share also from the Intermediate Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Glades County?
Only if bacteria are the problem. A one-minute rolling boil kills germs, but it does not remove nitrate, arsenic or other chemicals, and it concentrates them as water evaporates. Test first, and see our boiling well water myth buster for when boiling helps.
How often should I test my well water in Glades 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 Glades County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.