Typical values from 14 sampled wells in Washington County · Full groundwater profile
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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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A large share of homes in Washington County, in the Florida Panhandle, rely on private wells: 39.8% of built parcels, roughly 4,041 properties,, according to the Florida Department of Health's 2021 inventory. The water source of 37.3% of parcels is not recorded, so the real share of wells may be higher.
Most groundwater pumped in Washington County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 14 local wells put the median hardness at 5.8 gpg (moderately hard) and median iron at 0.05 mg/L. The county's largest communities are Chipley, Vernon and Wausau.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Washington County
Most groundwater pumped in Washington County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 14 sampled wells, the median hardness is 5.8 gpg, which the USGS classes as moderately hard. It applies to wells across Washington County, including around Chipley, Vernon and Wausau.
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 0 Washington 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 Washington County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Washington County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Washington CountyWashington | 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 | 0% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 7% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | No data | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 5.8 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.6 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Washington 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 Washington County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Washington County median values (5.8 gpg hardness, 0.05 ppm iron, pH 7.6) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Washington County
The Florida Department of Health in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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
Washington County borders these counties with published reports:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes in Washington County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2021 data) found 39.8% of built parcels in Washington County on private wells, roughly 4,041 properties. The water source of 37.3% of parcels is unrecorded, so the true share may be higher.
How hard is well water in Washington County?
Groundwater samples from 14 wells in Washington County have a median hardness of 5.8 grains per gallon (99 mg/L), which the USGS classes as moderately 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 Washington County well water?
The median iron level across 14 sampled wells is 0.05 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 Washington County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Washington 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 Washington County?
Most groundwater pumped in Washington County comes from the Floridan Aquifer (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.