Buying a Home in South Florida? Check the Water First
By Jared Beviano | Water Wizards Filtration
I got a call last spring from a couple who had just closed on their dream home in Coral Springs. Three bedrooms, pool, great neighborhood, perfect for their two kids. They were thrilled—until they moved in and turned on the kitchen faucet.
"The water smells like rotten eggs," the wife told me. "And there's this orange staining in all the toilets and sinks. We didn't notice any of this during the showing."
Turns out the house had been vacant for three months before they bought it. The sellers had turned off the water heater and drained the system. During showings, nobody ran the water long enough to notice the sulfur smell or the iron staining. The home inspector checked that water came out of the faucets—standard inspection protocol—but didn't test the water quality.
Now this couple was looking at $4,500 for a proper well water treatment system. That's $4,500 they hadn't budgeted for, on top of moving costs, closing costs, and all the other expenses of buying a home.
"I wish someone had told us to test the water before we signed," the husband said.
That conversation stuck with me. Because here's the thing—this happens all the time in South Florida. People spend weeks researching neighborhoods, schools, commute times, and property values. They hire inspectors to check the roof, the foundation, the electrical, the HVAC. But water? Water gets ignored until after closing, when it becomes their problem.
So let me tell you what I wish every home buyer in South Florida knew before they signed on the dotted line.
Why Water Should Be on Your Home Buying Checklist
When you're buying a house, you're not just buying the structure—you're buying into whatever water situation comes with it. And in South Florida, that water situation is rarely simple.
The Stuff That Shows Up After You Move In
Here's what typically blindsides new homeowners:
Hard water damage you couldn't see. The previous owners might have been living with hard water for years. That means scale buildup inside the water heater (reducing its remaining lifespan), mineral deposits in the pipes (restricting flow), and damage to appliances you can't see from outside. You inherit all of it.
Contamination that doesn't announce itself. Lead doesn't have a taste. PFAS doesn't have a smell. Elevated nitrates look like perfectly normal water. The only way to know these things are present is to test—and if nobody tests, nobody knows.
Existing equipment that doesn't work. That water softener in the garage might look fine. But is it actually softening the water? When was it last serviced? Is the resin exhausted? Is the control valve functioning? A lot of home buyers inherit water treatment equipment that's either broken, improperly sized, or so poorly maintained it's doing more harm than good.
Well water surprises. If the home is on well water—common in western Palm Beach County, parts of Broward, and rural areas throughout South Florida—you're taking on responsibility for a private water supply. Wells can have bacteria, nitrates, sulfur, iron, arsenic, and dozens of other issues that municipal water doesn't have. And unlike city water, nobody's required to test or treat it.
What Home Inspectors Actually Check (And Don't Check)
Let's talk about standard home inspections, because I think there's a misconception about what they cover.
A typical home inspection verifies that water comes out of the faucets when you turn them on. That's about it for water quality. Inspectors check water pressure, look for visible leaks, and confirm the plumbing is functional. They don't test what's in the water.
Some inspectors will note the presence of water treatment equipment—"water softener present in garage"—but they're not evaluating whether it works. They're not testing the water before and after the equipment to confirm it's doing its job.
This isn't the inspector's fault. Water quality testing isn't part of the standard inspection scope. It requires specialized equipment and expertise. It's an add-on service that most buyers don't request because they don't know they should.
So the inspection comes back clean, the buyer feels confident, and three weeks after moving in they discover their water is a disaster.
The South Florida Factor
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: South Florida has some of the most challenging water quality conditions in the country.
Municipal water here is heavily chlorinated. Our warm, humid climate promotes bacterial growth in water distribution systems. Utilities respond with aggressive chlorination—much more than you'd find in northern states. The water is safe, but it tastes and smells like a swimming pool, and chlorine damages rubber seals and gaskets throughout your home over time.
Our aquifer is porous limestone. The Biscayne Aquifer that supplies most of South Florida is basically a giant sponge. Contaminants that would get filtered out by dense rock in other regions seep right through into our groundwater.
PFAS contamination is widespread. Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Palm Beach International, Homestead Air Reserve Base—plus dozens of smaller airports and fire training facilities—have used PFAS-containing firefighting foam for decades. These "forever chemicals" have contaminated groundwater throughout the region.
Infrastructure is aging. Many South Florida neighborhoods were built in the 1950s through 1970s. The pipes are old. Lead solder was used routinely until 1986. Water picks up lead, copper, and sediment from deteriorating plumbing before it reaches your tap.
Well water brings unique challenges. High iron, sulfur, bacteria, nitrates from agricultural runoff, naturally occurring arsenic in some areas—private wells in South Florida can have issues that require significant treatment.
When you buy a home here, you're buying into all of this. The question is whether you find out before or after you've signed.
What to Test For (And Why)
If I were buying a home in South Florida tomorrow, here's exactly what I'd want to know about the water before closing.
Essential Tests for Every Home
Hardness. South Florida water ranges from moderately hard to very hard depending on location. Hardness causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduces soap effectiveness, and leaves spots on everything. Knowing the hardness level tells you whether you need a softener and helps you evaluate any existing softening equipment.
Chlorine and chloramines. Most South Florida utilities use chloramines rather than straight chlorine. Both affect taste and smell, but chloramines are harder to remove—standard carbon filters handle chlorine well but struggle with chloramines. You need to know which disinfectant your water has to choose appropriate filtration.
pH. Water that's too acidic or too alkaline causes different problems. Acidic water corrodes pipes and can leach metals. Alkaline water leaves deposits. South Florida water is typically slightly alkaline, but it varies.
Total dissolved solids (TDS). This is a general measure of everything dissolved in the water—minerals, salts, metals, etc. High TDS affects taste and can indicate other issues worth investigating.
Additional Tests Based on Situation
Lead (essential for homes built before 1986). Lead solder was banned for drinking water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes in South Florida—Coral Gables, parts of Fort Lauderdale, older neighborhoods in West Palm Beach—still have lead in their plumbing. Lead testing is critical if you're buying an older home, especially if young children will be living there.
PFAS panel (essential if within 5 miles of airports or military bases). If the home is anywhere near Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Palm Beach International, Boca Raton Airport, or any military installation, PFAS testing isn't optional. New EPA limits are extremely low (4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS), and many South Florida homes test above these levels.
Bacteria testing (essential for well water). Private wells can become contaminated with coliform bacteria, E. coli, and other pathogens. This is a health hazard that requires immediate attention. Every well water home should have bacteria testing.
Nitrates (essential for well water and homes near agricultural areas). Nitrates from fertilizer runoff are common in well water throughout western Palm Beach County and agricultural areas. High nitrates are particularly dangerous for infants—they can cause "blue baby syndrome." If you're buying in Wellington, Loxahatchee, The Acreage, or anywhere near farming operations, nitrate testing is essential.
Iron and sulfur (recommended for well water). These cause staining and odor issues that significantly impact quality of life. The couple I mentioned at the beginning of this article? Iron and sulfur. Testing identifies these issues before they become your daily frustration.
Arsenic (recommended for certain well water areas). Some areas of South Florida have naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater. It's tasteless, odorless, and colorless—but a known carcinogen. If you're buying a well water property, arsenic should be on the testing list.
How to Get Testing Done
You have a few options:
Request testing during the inspection period. Most purchase contracts have an inspection contingency. Water testing can be added to this period. Some home inspectors offer water testing as an add-on service, or you can hire a water treatment company (like us) to do independent testing.
Ask the seller for existing test results. If the home has a water treatment system, the seller may have water test results from when the system was installed. These give you a baseline, though you'd want fresh testing to confirm current conditions.
Test after closing but before moving in. If you can't get testing done before closing, at least do it before you move in. That way you can address any issues before your family is drinking and bathing in the water daily.
The cost for comprehensive water testing is typically $150-300. That's a tiny fraction of a home purchase price, and it can save you thousands in unexpected water treatment costs—or give you negotiating leverage to have the seller address issues before closing.
Evaluating Existing Water Treatment Equipment
A lot of South Florida homes have some form of water treatment already installed. A water softener in the garage. An RO system under the kitchen sink. Maybe a whole-house filter.
Here's the thing: the presence of equipment doesn't mean the water is being properly treated. I've walked into homes where the softener hadn't been serviced in a decade. Where the RO membrane was so fouled it was removing nothing. Where the "whole house filter" was a $50 sediment cartridge doing basically nothing.
When you're evaluating a home purchase, here's what to investigate about existing equipment:
Questions to Ask
What exactly is installed? Get specifics. "A water thing in the garage" isn't enough. Is it a water softener? A carbon filter? A combination system? What brand and model? How old is it?
When was it last serviced? Ask for maintenance records. A well-maintained system has documentation—filter change dates, salt delivery records, service call invoices. No records often means no maintenance.
Is the system owned or leased? Some water treatment equipment is leased or rented rather than owned. If it's leased, you'll either need to take over the lease, buy out the equipment, or have it removed. This can get complicated and expensive. Make sure you know the ownership situation before closing.
Does the system actually work? This is where testing matters. Test the water coming into the house (before the equipment) and after the equipment. If the softener is working, hardness should drop from whatever the inlet level is to near zero. If the carbon filter is working, chlorine should be eliminated. If the numbers don't change, the equipment isn't functioning properly.
Red Flags to Watch For
Very old equipment with no records. Water treatment equipment has a lifespan of 10-15 years with proper maintenance. Equipment that's 15+ years old with no maintenance history is probably not worth keeping—you're inheriting a liability, not an asset.
Salt-based softener with empty brine tank. If there's a water softener and the brine tank is empty or low, the system hasn't been maintaining soft water. The resin is probably exhausted. You're looking at a minimum of $250-400 for resin replacement, possibly more.
Leaking or corroded equipment. Visible water damage, rust, or corrosion around water treatment equipment indicates problems. At minimum, you're looking at repairs. Possibly full replacement.
Undersized equipment. A softener rated for a two-bathroom home won't adequately treat water for a four-bathroom home. Equipment needs to be appropriately sized for the actual household. Undersized systems run out of capacity, don't properly treat all the water, and wear out faster.
No bypass valves. Properly installed water treatment equipment should have bypass valves that allow you to divert water around the system for maintenance or emergencies. Missing bypass valves indicate a substandard installation, and you'll have trouble servicing the equipment later.
What to Do If Equipment Is Questionable
If the existing water treatment equipment is old, poorly maintained, or not working properly, you have options:
Negotiate with the seller. Ask them to repair or replace the equipment before closing, or to credit you for the cost of doing it yourself. This is a legitimate inspection finding that warrants negotiation.
Factor it into your offer. If you know you're going to need $3,000-5,000 in water treatment equipment, that affects what the house is worth to you. Adjust your offer accordingly.
Plan to replace after closing. If you can't get the seller to address it and still want the house, at least go in with eyes open and budget set aside for water treatment.
What you don't want is to close on the house assuming the water treatment is handled, only to discover it's not.
Well Water vs. City Water: Different Due Diligence
The water source matters enormously, and your due diligence process should differ accordingly.
If the Home Is on Municipal Water
Municipal water in South Florida is treated and tested regularly. The water leaving the treatment plant meets EPA standards. Your concerns are primarily about what happens between the treatment plant and your tap:
Chlorine and chloramines added for disinfection
Disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter
Lead, copper, and other metals from aging distribution systems and home plumbing
Hardness minerals (present in the source water and not removed by treatment)
PFAS (if the source water is contaminated)
For city water homes, comprehensive testing should include hardness, chlorine/chloramines, TDS, lead (if older home), and PFAS (if near airports/military).
Treatment needs are usually straightforward: a softener for hardness, carbon filtration for chlorine, and possibly an RO system for drinking water if there are contamination concerns.
If the Home Is on Well Water
Private well water is a completely different animal. No government agency is monitoring or treating your water. Whatever is in the ground is what you're drinking, bathing in, and cooking with.
Well water in South Florida can have:
Bacteria (coliform, E. coli) from surface contamination
Nitrates from agricultural fertilizer
Iron and manganese causing staining and metallic taste
Sulfur (hydrogen sulfide) causing rotten egg smell
Hardness often 2-3x higher than city water
Arsenic in some areas
Tannins causing brown discoloration
Low pH causing corrosion
Sediment from the well or aquifer
For well water homes, you need comprehensive testing before purchase—bacteria, nitrates, hardness, iron, sulfur, pH, TDS, and potentially arsenic depending on location.
Treatment needs are typically more extensive: sediment filtration, iron/sulfur removal if present, softening for hardness, UV sterilization for bacteria, and often an RO system for drinking water. Total system cost can be $4,500-8,000 for comprehensive well water treatment.
The Well Inspection
If you're buying a well water property, the well itself needs evaluation beyond just water quality:
When was the well drilled?
How deep is it?
What's the flow rate?
What's the condition of the well casing?
Is the well cap properly sealed?
Is there appropriate separation from septic systems?
A qualified well inspector can evaluate these factors. A failing well or improper well construction can be a five-figure problem.
The Neighborhood Factor: What Adjacent Properties Tell You
Water quality isn't just about the individual property—it's influenced by the broader area. Here's what to consider:
Talk to Neighbors
If you can, talk to neighbors about their water experience. Do they have water treatment systems? What problems have they encountered? Have they had any contamination issues?
Neighbors who have lived in the area for years often know things that won't show up in any inspection. "Oh yeah, the whole neighborhood has iron problems—everyone here has a softener." That's valuable information.
Research Local Water Quality
For municipal water, you can request the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the local utility. This annual report details contaminants found in the water supply and how they compare to EPA limits. It won't tell you about issues in your specific home's plumbing, but it establishes the baseline quality of water entering the neighborhood.
For well water areas, talk to local well drillers and water treatment companies. We know which areas have chronic iron problems, which neighborhoods have sulfur, which zones have PFAS contamination. This local knowledge helps you understand what you're likely dealing with.
Consider Proximity to Contamination Sources
Location matters for water quality:
Near airports or military bases: PFAS contamination is likely. Test specifically for PFAS.
Near golf courses: Pesticides and herbicides from groundskeeping can contaminate groundwater, especially for well water homes.
Near agricultural areas: Nitrates from fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides. Particularly important for well water.
Near industrial facilities: Various potential contaminants depending on the type of industry.
Near gas stations (current or former): Underground storage tank leaks have contaminated groundwater in many areas.
Older neighborhoods with aging infrastructure: Higher likelihood of lead in plumbing, main breaks affecting water quality, and pressure issues.
Using Water Issues as Negotiating Leverage
Let's say you've done your testing and discovered issues—hard water, iron staining, elevated PFAS, whatever. What now?
Document Everything
Get formal testing results from a certified lab. "The water seems hard" isn't negotiating leverage. "Lab results show hardness at 22 grains per gallon, requiring installation of a water softener system at an estimated cost of $2,200" is negotiating leverage.
Determine Remediation Costs
Get quotes for whatever treatment is needed. If the water has iron and sulfur requiring a specialty removal system, get a written estimate. If there's PFAS requiring an RO system, document that cost. You need specific numbers, not vague concerns.
Present to the Seller
How you handle this depends on the market and your situation:
In a buyer's market: You have leverage. Present the water quality issues and ask the seller to either remediate before closing or credit you the cost of remediation. Many sellers will agree rather than risk losing the sale.
In a seller's market: You have less leverage, but water quality issues are legitimate findings. Even if the seller won't fully remediate, you may be able to negotiate partial credit or price reduction.
For health-related contamination (lead, PFAS, bacteria): These are more serious than aesthetic issues like hardness. A home with unsafe water has a legitimate defect that affects value. Push harder on these issues.
Know Your Walk-Away Point
Some water issues are expensive to solve. Comprehensive well water treatment can cost $5,000-8,000. A home with serious contamination might need $10,000+ in remediation.
Before you get too deep into negotiation, decide: at what point does the water situation make this house not worth buying? If the seller won't address a $6,000 treatment need and won't reduce the price, are you prepared to walk away?
Having that number in mind keeps you from getting emotionally attached to a house that's actually a bad deal.
After the Purchase: First Steps for New Homeowners
Let's say you've done your due diligence, negotiated appropriately, and closed on your South Florida home. What should you do about water in the first weeks of ownership?
If No Treatment System Exists
Get comprehensive testing if you didn't do it before closing. Now you need to know exactly what you're dealing with.
Prioritize based on results. Health hazards (bacteria, lead, PFAS above limits) get addressed immediately. Quality of life issues (hardness, chlorine taste) can be addressed systematically.
Get multiple quotes. Talk to at least two or three water treatment companies. Get written quotes specifying equipment, installation, and warranty.
Start with drinking water. If budget is tight, an under-sink RO system ($400-1,400) protects your drinking and cooking water while you save for a whole-house system.
If Treatment Equipment Was Included
Verify it's working. Test the water coming out of the treatment system. Hardness after the softener should be zero or near zero. Chlorine after carbon filtration should be eliminated. If the numbers don't look right, the system needs service or repair.
Find out when filters were last changed. If nobody knows, assume they're overdue and change them. Running with exhausted filters is worse than no filter at all in some cases.
Establish a maintenance schedule. Going forward, keep track of when filters need changing, when salt needs adding, when the system needs professional service.
Get a professional evaluation. Having a water treatment professional assess the existing equipment tells you what shape it's in, how much life is left, and what maintenance it needs.
For Well Water Properties
Test annually. Unlike municipal water, no one is monitoring your well water. Annual testing for bacteria, nitrates, and other key parameters is your responsibility—and it's essential.
Understand your well. Know the well depth, age, pump type, and pressure tank setup. Keep records of any well work.
Watch for changes. Well water quality can change over time as aquifer conditions change. If your water suddenly tastes, smells, or looks different, test it.
The Bottom Line
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. You wouldn't buy a house without checking the roof. You wouldn't skip the foundation inspection. You wouldn't ignore obvious electrical hazards.
Water quality deserves the same attention.
Testing before you buy tells you what you're getting into. It reveals hidden problems that could cost thousands to fix. It gives you negotiating leverage. And it prevents the unpleasant surprise of moving into your dream home only to discover the water is a nightmare.
A $200-300 water test is one of the cheapest and most valuable due diligence steps you can take. Do it during the inspection period, before you're legally committed to the purchase. If issues come up, you can negotiate or walk away. If everything looks good, you have peace of mind.
That couple in Coral Springs—the ones who called me three weeks after closing, stunned by sulfur smell and iron staining? They wish they'd tested. They wish someone had told them this was a thing to check.
Now you know.
A Note for Real Estate Agents
If you're a real estate agent reading this, I want to offer something specific.
You're in a position to genuinely help your buyers by suggesting water testing—especially for well water properties, older homes, and properties near airports or industrial areas. Many buyers don't know to ask for this.
We offer pre-purchase water testing consultations at no cost, and we're happy to coordinate with your showing and inspection schedules. We can provide a same-day summary for time-sensitive transactions and detailed written reports for documentation.
A buyer who discovers water problems after closing is an unhappy buyer—and that reflects on everyone involved in the transaction. A buyer who knows about water issues before closing can make an informed decision and plan accordingly.
If you work in South Florida real estate and want to add water testing to your recommended due diligence, give us a call. We're happy to be a resource for you and your clients.
Planning to buy a home in South Florida? Get your water tested first.
Water Wizards offers pre-purchase water testing and consultation throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Call 561-352-9989 or visit waterwizards.ai to schedule.
Water Wizards Filtration — Florida's Water Filtration Experts
Serving Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and all of South Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions: Water Testing When Buying a Home
Should I test the water before buying a house in South Florida?
Yes—water testing should be part of your home buying due diligence, especially in South Florida. Our region has unique water challenges: heavy chlorination, hard water, PFAS contamination near airports, aging infrastructure with lead plumbing in pre-1986 homes, and complex well water issues in western areas. Standard home inspections verify that water comes out of faucets but don't test water quality. A $150-300 water test during your inspection period reveals hidden problems that could cost thousands to fix, gives you negotiating leverage with the seller, and prevents unpleasant surprises after closing. For well water properties, testing is even more critical since no government agency monitors private well water quality.
What should I test for when buying a home in Palm Beach or Broward County?
Essential tests for every South Florida home purchase include hardness, chlorine/chloramines, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Additional testing depends on your situation: homes built before 1986 need lead testing due to lead solder in plumbing. Properties within 5 miles of airports (Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Palm Beach International) or military bases need PFAS testing. Well water properties require bacteria (coliform, E. coli), nitrates, iron, sulfur, and potentially arsenic testing. Properties near golf courses or agricultural areas should test for pesticides and nitrates. Comprehensive pre-purchase testing typically costs $200-300 and can save thousands in unexpected treatment costs.
How do I evaluate existing water treatment equipment when buying a house?
Ask specific questions: What exactly is installed (softener, filter, RO)? What brand and model? How old is it? When was it last serviced—and can you see maintenance records? Is the equipment owned or leased? Then verify it actually works by testing water before and after the equipment. If the softener is functional, hardness should drop to near zero. If carbon filtration works, chlorine should be eliminated. Red flags include: equipment over 15 years old with no records, empty brine tanks on softeners, visible leaks or corrosion, missing bypass valves, and undersized systems for the home. Questionable equipment should be factored into your purchase negotiation.
What water problems are common in South Florida homes?
The most common water issues in South Florida homes include: extreme hardness (15-25+ grains per gallon) causing scale buildup and appliance damage, heavy chlorination causing pool-like taste and odor, PFAS contamination near airports and military installations exceeding new EPA limits, lead in pre-1986 plumbing, and aging infrastructure contributing sediment and metals. Well water homes commonly have iron (causing orange staining), sulfur (rotten egg smell), bacteria, nitrates from agricultural runoff, and hardness 2-3x higher than city water. Many buyers don't discover these issues until after closing because standard home inspections don't include water quality testing.
Can I use water quality issues to negotiate the home price?
Yes—documented water quality problems are legitimate findings that warrant negotiation. Get formal lab test results (not just "the water seems hard") and written quotes for remediation. Present specific numbers: "Lab results show hardness at 22 grains per gallon, requiring a water softener at $2,200" or "PFAS levels exceed EPA limits, requiring an RO system at $1,400." In a buyer's market, ask the seller to remediate before closing or credit you the cost. In a seller's market, you have less leverage but can still negotiate partial credits. Health-related contamination (lead, PFAS, bacteria) is more serious than aesthetic issues and warrants stronger negotiation. Know your walk-away point before negotiating.
How much does water treatment cost for a new home in South Florida?
Costs vary significantly based on water source and issues present. For municipal water homes: a water softener runs $1,400-2,500 installed, whole-house carbon filtration costs $1,200-2,500, and under-sink RO systems cost $400-1,400. A comprehensive city water system (softener + carbon + RO) typically totals $3,500-5,500. For well water homes: treatment is more extensive and expensive, typically $4,500-8,000 for complete systems including sediment filtration, iron/sulfur removal, softening, UV sterilization, and RO. These costs should factor into your home purchase budget. If the seller has existing equipment that works, you may avoid some or all of these costs—but verify the equipment actually functions before relying on it.
What's the difference between buying a home on city water vs. well water in South Florida?
City water is treated and monitored by the utility—you're primarily concerned with chlorine, hardness, lead in older plumbing, and PFAS near airports. Treatment needs are typically straightforward: softener, carbon filter, possibly RO for drinking water. Total system cost: $2,500-5,500. Well water is completely untreated and unmonitored—you're responsible for water quality. South Florida wells commonly have bacteria, nitrates, iron, sulfur, extreme hardness, and sometimes arsenic. Treatment requires multiple stages: sediment filtration, iron/sulfur removal, softening, UV sterilization, and RO. Total system cost: $4,500-8,000. Well water properties also require evaluation of the well itself—age, depth, flow rate, casing condition, and separation from septic systems. Annual water testing is essential for well owners since no agency monitors your supply.
Should I test water during the inspection period or after closing?
Test during the inspection period whenever possible. This gives you negotiating leverage—you can ask the seller to remediate issues or credit you for treatment costs while you still have the option to walk away. Testing after closing means you've already committed to the purchase and any water problems become your responsibility. If testing during inspection isn't possible, test immediately after closing but before moving in—at least you can address issues before your family is drinking and bathing in problematic water daily. For competitive markets where inspection periods are short, ask your agent to include water testing in the inspection timeline upfront, or make your offer contingent on satisfactory water quality results.
What water tests are required for FHA or VA home loans in Florida?
FHA loans require water testing for properties with private wells—specifically testing for lead, nitrates, nitrites, and coliform bacteria. The water must meet EPA safe drinking water standards for the loan to be approved. Some lenders require additional testing for properties near known contamination sources. VA loans have similar requirements for well water properties. For homes on municipal water, FHA and VA loans don't typically require water testing since city water is assumed to meet safety standards. However, even if not required by your lender, independent water testing is still recommended—meeting minimum safety standards doesn't mean the water is free of aesthetic issues, hardness, or contaminants like PFAS that have only recently been regulated.
