Typical values from 108 sampled wells in Lake 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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Explore Lake County and nearby counties
Most homes in Lake County, in Central Florida, are on public water, but about one in six still are not: 15.7% of built parcels, roughly 23,292 properties, draw drinking water from an onsite private well, according to the Florida Department of Health’s 2022 inventory.
Lake County takes its name from its more than 1,000 named lakes, including the Harris Chain of Lakes, and its sandy ridges are an important recharge area for the Floridan Aquifer. That geology shapes which well water problems show up most often here.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Lake County
Most groundwater pumped in Lake County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 108 sampled wells, the median hardness is 6.9 gpg, which the USGS classes as moderately hard. It applies to wells across Lake County, including around Clermont, Leesburg and Eustis.
No contaminant tracked here was above its EPA guideline in the typical (median) sampled well.
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 1 Lake 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 Lake County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Lake County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Lake CountyLake | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 49% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 34% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 3% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 5% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 30% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | <1% | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 6.9 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.4 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Lake 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 Lake County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Lake County median values (6.9 gpg hardness, 0.09 ppm iron, pH 7.4) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Lake County
The Florida Department of Health in Lake County Water Services section monitors groundwater in delineated areas, samples for pesticides near old citrus groves and agricultural land, and inspects wells for chemical contaminants. If your home sits on former grove land, ask about pesticide testing alongside the standard bacteria and nitrate panel.
For nitrates, metals, or a full panel, use a laboratory certified by the Florida Department of Health. The state’s private well water testing guide explains which tests to order and how to find a certified lab near you.
What to test for in Lake County:
- Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrate, at least once a year (Florida Department of Health recommendation)
- After any flood, new well work or a change in taste, color or smell
The Florida Department of Health in Lake 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
Lake County borders these counties with published reports:
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is well water in Lake County?
Groundwater samples from 108 wells in Lake County have a median hardness of 6.9 grains per gallon (119 mg/L), which the USGS classes as moderately hard. About 49% of sampled wells are above 7 gpg, the point where a water softener is usually worthwhile. The Florida statewide median is 12.4 gpg.
Is iron a problem in Lake County well water?
The median iron level across 108 sampled wells is 0.09 mg/L, below the EPA aesthetic guideline of 0.3 mg/L, and 34% of wells exceed it. 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 Lake County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 1 Lake 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 Lake County?
Most groundwater pumped in Lake County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Lake 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 many homes in Lake County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s 2022 Florida Water Management Inventory found 15.7% of built parcels in Lake County on private wells, roughly 23,292 properties. Most of the county’s built parcels are served by public water systems; private wells are most common on rural lots and older properties outside utility service areas.
Where can I get my well water tested in Lake County?
Use an FDOH-certified commercial lab for routine bacteria and nitrate testing. DOH-Lake’s Water Services section also monitors groundwater and samples for pesticides near former citrus groves and agricultural land, so ask them if your property was once farmland.
Do I need to test my well water if my neighbors say theirs is fine?
Yes. Well depth, casing condition, and the exact aquifer layer tapped can vary block to block, so one neighbor’s clean test does not guarantee another’s. A full annual test is the only reliable way to know what is in your own water.
Is Floridan Aquifer water generally safe to drink untreated?
Much of it is chemically safe but aesthetically unpleasant (hard, sulfur-smelling, or iron-stained), which is why treatment here is usually about comfort and plumbing protection rather than an acute health risk. A lab test is still the only way to rule out bacteria, nitrates, or other contaminants specific to your well.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.