Home care
On a private well in Sebastian? How to test your water, what it costs, and who to call
If your Sebastian house has a well, nobody tests that water for you. Not the city, not the county, not the state. Here is what the Florida Department of Health recommends, and where to take a sample.
· 4 min read · Sebastian, Indian River County
Turn on the tap in a Sebastian house that is hooked up to county water, and someone else is watching the water quality. Turn it on in a house with its own well, and that someone is you.
The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County puts it plainly: the property owner is responsible for making sure well water is safe to drink. The good news is that the testing is simple and not expensive.
Well or county water: which one do you have?
Inside Sebastian, public water and sewer come from Indian River County Utilities, not the city. The county says it serves a large part of the county's population, and that the remaining residents rely on private wells and septic tanks or on the Vero Beach or Fellsmere utilities.
If you get a monthly Indian River County Utilities bill that includes water, you are on county water. If you do not, and your house has a well pump and pressure tank in the yard or garage, you are likely on a well. You can ask the county at 772-770-5300. Its Sebastian customer service office is at Sebastian Corners Plaza, 1921 U.S. Highway 1, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Statewide, the Department of Health says about 88% of Floridians get their water from public systems covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The other 12% use small limited-use systems or private wells, and those are not tested by anyone unless the owner does it.
What to test for, and how often
The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends these tests for a private well:
- Bacteria, at least once a year. Most bacteria are not harmful on their own, but their presence can signal that harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites may also be in the water.
- Nitrate, at least once a year. The state says high nitrate levels pose an immediate risk to infants, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions.
- Lead, every three years for most homeowners.
Other tests depend on where the well is, how deep it is, and what the land around it was used for. The local health department can tell you whether anything else makes sense for your address.
Where does trouble come from? The state lists failing septic systems, fertilizer, livestock areas and poorly built wells as ways bacteria and nitrate get in. Chemicals can come from leaking fuel tanks, pesticides, landfills and hazardous waste that was dumped the wrong way.
Where Sebastian residents can get a test
The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County runs a certified lab on site at 1900 27th St. in Vero Beach. It tests drinking water for bacteria for $35 per sample. Staff provide the collection containers and instructions, and can collect the sample at your home for an extra fee. They will also explain your results and what to do if anything turns up.
For tests the county lab does not run, such as some chemical tests, staff can point you to a state-certified lab. The state recommends using a certified lab so your results are accurate.
Buying or selling a home with a well
Florida does not require routine well testing, and it does not require a test when a home is sold. The Department of Health still recommends testing for coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead when you buy or sell. If you are closing on a Sebastian house with a well, it is a small cost for peace of mind.
Repairs and permits
The county health department oversees wells less than 6 inches across. You need a permit from that office before you build, repair or abandon one. The owner or a licensed water well contractor can apply. Wells 6 inches or larger are handled by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Records for existing wells can be searched through the health department's Septic Search tool.
What to do this month
- Check your last water bill. If there is no county water charge and you have a well pump, you are on a well.
- Call the health department at 772-794-7440 and ask for sample containers and instructions for a bacteria test.
- Follow the sampling instructions exactly, then drop the sample at 1900 27th St. in Vero Beach.
- Ask staff whether nitrate, lead or any other test makes sense for your address, and where to get it done.
- Put a yearly reminder on your calendar to test again, and a three-year reminder for lead.
- Before any well repair, ask your contractor about the health department permit.
Clean water is easy to take for granted when it comes out of the faucet clear. A yearly test is how you know it is as good as it looks.
Common questions
- How often should I test my well water in Florida?
- The Florida Department of Health strongly recommends testing a private well for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year, and for lead every three years for most homeowners.
- Where can I get my well water tested near Sebastian?
- The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County tests drinking water for bacteria at its lab at 1900 27th St., Vero Beach, for $35 a sample. Call 772-794-7440 for containers and instructions.
- Does the City of Sebastian test private wells?
- No. The Department of Health says private well owners are responsible for their own water safety. Public water in Sebastian comes from Indian River County Utilities, which you can reach at 772-770-5300.
- Do I need a permit to repair my well in Indian River County?
- Yes. For wells under 6 inches across, you need a permit from the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County before you build, repair or abandon the well. Larger wells go through the St. Johns River Water Management District.
- Is well testing required when you sell a house in Florida?
- No. Florida does not require it, but the Department of Health recommends testing for coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead when a home with a well is bought or sold.