Typical values from 36 sampled wells in Okeechobee County · Full groundwater profile
What Are You Noticing in Your Water?
Pre-selected from Okeechobee County well data. Untick anything you do not notice in your own 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 Okeechobee County and nearby counties
A large share of homes in Okeechobee County, in South Central Florida, rely on private wells: 49% of built parcels, roughly 8,222 properties,, according to the Florida Department of Health's 2024 inventory.
Most groundwater pumped in Okeechobee County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 36 local wells put the median hardness at 17.4 gpg (very hard) and median iron at 0.19 mg/L. The county's largest communities are Okeechobee, Taylor Creek and Cypress Quarters.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Okeechobee County
Most groundwater pumped in Okeechobee County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 36 sampled wells, the median hardness is 17.4 gpg, which the USGS classes as very hard. It applies to wells across Okeechobee County, including around Okeechobee, Taylor Creek and Cypress Quarters.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessMedian 17.4 gpg; 92% of 36 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 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 (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Okeechobee County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Okeechobee CountyOkeechobee | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 92% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 47% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 9% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 44% | 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) | 0% | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 17.4 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Okeechobee County median values (17.4 gpg hardness, 0.19 ppm iron, pH 7.2) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Okeechobee County
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee 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
Okeechobee County borders these counties with published reports:
Glades County
15 gpg hardness · Hardness, Chloride (salinity)Highlands County
7.5 gpg hardness · HardnessIndian River County
18.9 gpg hardness · Hardness, Chloride (salinity)Martin County
15.8 gpg hardness · Hardness, IronOsceola County
10.2 gpg hardness · HardnessSt. Lucie County
22.8 gpg hardness · Hardness, Chloride (salinity)Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes in Okeechobee County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2024 data) found 49% of built parcels in Okeechobee County on private wells, roughly 8,222 properties.
How hard is well water in Okeechobee County?
Groundwater samples from 36 wells in Okeechobee County have a median hardness of 17.4 grains per gallon (298 mg/L), which the USGS classes as very hard. About 92% 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 Okeechobee County well water?
The median iron level across 36 sampled wells is 0.19 mg/L, below the EPA aesthetic guideline of 0.3 mg/L, and 47% 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 Okeechobee County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County?
Most groundwater pumped in Okeechobee County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.