Typical values from 128 sampled wells in Volusia County · Full groundwater profile
What Are You Noticing in Your Water?
Pre-selected from Volusia 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 Volusia County and nearby counties
Most homes in Volusia County, in East Central Florida, are on public water, but about one in ten still are not: 10.0% of built parcels, roughly 23,529 properties, draw drinking water from an onsite private well, according to the Florida Department of Health’s 2022 inventory.
Volusia County is home to Blue Spring, the largest spring on the St. Johns River, which forms the county’s western border, and like the rest of the region, its groundwater comes from the Floridan Aquifer. That geology shapes which well water problems show up most often here.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Volusia County
Most groundwater pumped in Volusia County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 128 sampled wells, the median hardness is 16.1 gpg, which the USGS classes as very hard. It applies to wells across Volusia County, including around Deltona, Daytona Beach and Port Orange.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessMedian 16.1 gpg; 81% of 128 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 35 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 1 Volusia 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 Volusia County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Volusia County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Volusia CountyVolusia | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 81% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 43% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 5% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 34% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | 2% | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 16.1 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Volusia 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 Volusia County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Volusia County median values (16.1 gpg hardness, 0.16 ppm iron, pH 7.1) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Volusia County
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County drinking water, irrigation, and wells program oversees public systems and investigates waterborne illness, with an online complaint form if you suspect your water made someone sick. For routine testing, use an FDOH-certified commercial lab.
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 Volusia 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 Volusia 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
Volusia County borders these counties with published reports:
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is well water in Volusia County?
Groundwater samples from 128 wells in Volusia County have a median hardness of 16.1 grains per gallon (276 mg/L), which the USGS classes as very hard. About 81% 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 Volusia County well water?
The median iron level across 128 sampled wells is 0.16 mg/L, below the EPA aesthetic guideline of 0.3 mg/L, and 43% 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 Volusia County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 1 Volusia 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 Volusia County?
Most groundwater pumped in Volusia County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Volusia 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 Volusia County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s 2022 Florida Water Management Inventory found 10.0% of built parcels in Volusia County on private wells, roughly 23,529 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 Volusia County?
Use an FDOH-certified commercial lab for routine bacteria and nitrate tests. If you suspect illness from your water, DOH-Volusia investigates waterborne disease and has an online complaint form.
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.