Well Water vs. City Water in Palm Beach County: Different Challenges, Different Solutions
A couple years ago, I had back-to-back consultations that perfectly illustrated why water treatment in Palm Beach County isn't one-size-fits-all.
Morning appointment: a family in downtown West Palm Beach, maybe two miles from the Intracoastal. Their complaint? Water that tasted like a swimming pool and left their skin feeling dry after showers. Classic city water issues—heavy chlorination, moderately hard water, nothing unusual.
Afternoon appointment: a homeowner in Loxahatchee, about 25 miles west. Her complaint? Orange stains on everything, rotten egg smell when she ran hot water, and a weird film floating on her coffee. She'd moved from a condo in Boca six months earlier and was genuinely alarmed. "Is this water even safe?" she asked.
Both people live in Palm Beach County. Both have "water problems." But they might as well be dealing with water from different planets.
The West Palm Beach family needed a straightforward whole-house carbon filter and maybe a softener. Total investment around $2,500, problem solved.
The Loxahatchee homeowner needed a multi-stage well water system—sediment filtration, iron removal, sulfur treatment, softening, and UV sterilization. We're talking $5,500-6,500 and significantly more complex equipment.
Same county. Completely different water. Completely different solutions.
If you live in Palm Beach County—or you're thinking about moving here—understanding the difference between city water and well water isn't just academic. It determines what kind of water treatment you need, how much it costs, and what happens if you get it wrong.
The Geography of Palm Beach County Water
Let me paint the picture, because geography really matters here.
Palm Beach County stretches about 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the western agricultural areas, and roughly 45 miles from Jupiter in the north to Boca Raton in the south. It's one of the largest counties in Florida by land area, and the water situation changes dramatically as you move from east to west.
The Eastern Corridor: City Water Territory
The densely populated coastal areas—Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Lantana, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and the communities along I-95—are served by municipal water systems. The major utilities include the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Water Utilities, the cities of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton, plus several smaller municipal systems.
All of these utilities draw from the same basic source: the Surficial Aquifer System, primarily the Biscayne and shallow aquifers that underlie coastal South Florida. The water is treated at municipal plants, disinfected (usually with chloramines), and distributed through an extensive pipe network.
If you live east of State Road 7 / US 441, you're almost certainly on city water.
The Western Frontier: Well Water Country
Head west past the Turnpike, and the landscape changes. Developments spread out. Lots get bigger. And increasingly, homes are served by private wells rather than municipal systems.
Communities like Wellington (partially), Loxahatchee, The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach (western portions), and the agricultural areas toward Lake Okeechobee have significant numbers of homes on private wells. Some newer developments out west have community well systems—essentially small private utilities serving a neighborhood—but many homes have their own individual wells.
If you're west of the Turnpike, especially in unincorporated areas, there's a good chance you're on well water or will be if you buy there.
The Transition Zone
There's a messy middle ground, roughly between US 441 and the Turnpike, where you'll find a mix. Some neighborhoods are on city water; others aren't. Some communities started with wells and later connected to municipal systems. Some homes have wells for irrigation but city water for the house.
If you're buying in this zone, don't assume. Ask specifically about the water source for any property you're considering.
City Water in Palm Beach County: What You're Actually Getting
Let's talk about what comes out of the tap if you're on municipal water in Palm Beach County.
The Treatment Process
Palm Beach County utilities do a good job treating water to EPA standards. The water leaving their treatment plants is safe to drink by regulatory definitions. But "safe by EPA standards" and "water you actually want to drink" aren't always the same thing.
The treatment process typically includes coagulation and flocculation to remove particles, sedimentation, filtration through sand or other media, and disinfection. Most Palm Beach County utilities have switched from chlorine to chloramines (chlorine combined with ammonia) for disinfection because chloramines last longer in the distribution system and produce fewer disinfection byproducts.
What's In City Water (That You Might Not Want)
Chlorine and Chloramines
The most noticeable issue for most people. That swimming pool taste and smell? That's chlorine or chloramines doing their job—killing bacteria in the distribution system. The concentration varies by utility and by your location in the distribution network. Homes near treatment plants or main lines often have lower chlorine levels; homes at the end of long distribution lines may have higher levels because utilities dose to ensure adequate disinfection at the farthest points.
Chloramine levels in Palm Beach County typically run 1.5-4.0 ppm. Not dangerous, but definitely noticeable.
Hardness
Palm Beach County water is moderately to very hard, typically ranging from 120-250 ppm depending on your specific utility and location. This is the calcium and magnesium that causes scale buildup, spots on dishes, soap scum in showers, and that "filmy" feeling on your skin.
Hard water won't hurt you—some studies suggest the minerals are actually beneficial to drink—but it will damage your water heater, clog your pipes over time, and make cleaning a constant battle.
Disinfection Byproducts
When chlorine or chloramines react with organic matter in water, they form compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). These are regulated by the EPA because long-term exposure is linked to increased cancer risk.
Palm Beach County utilities generally stay within EPA limits, but some quarters some utilities run close to those limits. The EPA maximum for total THMs is 80 ppb; I've seen local water quality reports showing levels of 60-75 ppb. Legal, but not exactly reassuring for long-term consumption.
Lead and Copper
The water leaving treatment plants contains virtually no lead. But if your home was built before 1986, lead solder may have been used in the plumbing. If your home has older brass fixtures, they may contain lead. The water sits in those pipes and fixtures, and lead leaches in.
This is a house-by-house issue, not a utility issue. But it's very real in older neighborhoods like El Cid, Flamingo Park, College Park, and the historic districts of West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, and Delray Beach.
PFAS (Forever Chemicals)
This is the emerging concern. PFAS compounds have been detected in groundwater throughout Palm Beach County, particularly near Palm Beach International Airport and other locations where firefighting foam was used. Some municipal wells have been taken offline due to PFAS contamination.
The new EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS) are extremely stringent, and many utilities are still figuring out how to meet them. If you're on city water near the airport or in central West Palm Beach, PFAS is something to take seriously.
The City Water Treatment Solution
For most city water homes in Palm Beach County, a relatively straightforward system handles the common issues:
Whole-House Carbon Filtration: Removes chlorine/chloramines, improves taste and odor, reduces disinfection byproducts. Catalytic carbon is important because standard carbon doesn't effectively remove chloramines. Cost: $1,200-2,000 installed.
Water Softener: Removes hardness minerals, protects appliances, eliminates scale and spots. Cost: $1,400-2,500 installed.
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis: For drinking water, removes everything the whole-house systems don't catch—PFAS, lead, pharmaceuticals, nitrates. Essential if you're in an older home or near PFAS contamination sources. Cost: $400-1,400 installed.
Total typical investment for city water: $2,500-5,000 depending on configuration and home size.
Well Water in Palm Beach County: A Different Animal Entirely
Now let's talk about what comes out of the ground in western Palm Beach County. It's a completely different situation.
Where Well Water Comes From
Private wells in Palm Beach County typically draw from the Surficial Aquifer—the same basic source as municipal water, but without the treatment. The water comes straight from the ground into your home.
Well depth varies. Shallow wells (25-75 feet) draw from the water table and are more susceptible to surface contamination. Deeper wells (100-200+ feet) tap into lower aquifer zones and often have different mineral characteristics.
The Floridan Aquifer, which lies deeper beneath the Surficial Aquifer, provides water for some deeper wells. This water is often softer but may have higher sulfur content.
What's In Well Water (And Why It's Challenging)
Iron
This is the big one. Western Palm Beach County has iron-rich geology, and that iron dissolves into groundwater. When iron-laden water hits air (like when it comes out of your faucet), the iron oxidizes and turns orange.
Iron levels of 0.3 ppm or higher cause visible staining. I've tested wells in Loxahatchee and The Acreage with iron levels of 2-5 ppm—sometimes higher. At those levels, everything turns orange. Toilets, sinks, tubs, laundry. The staining is relentless and nearly impossible to remove without treating the water.
Iron also promotes iron bacteria growth, which creates that reddish-brown slime you sometimes see in toilet tanks or well equipment.
Sulfur (Hydrogen Sulfide)
That rotten egg smell? That's hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. It's produced by sulfur bacteria in the aquifer or by chemical reactions between sulfur compounds and the well environment.
Sulfur is more common in deeper wells tapping the Floridan Aquifer. The smell can be mild (noticeable when you first turn on the tap) to overwhelming (fills the bathroom when you shower). It's not dangerous at typical residential levels, but it's extremely unpleasant.
Sulfur also corrodes copper pipes and silver jewelry, and it makes the water taste terrible.
Hardness (Often Extreme)
If you thought city water was hard, wait until you test a Palm Beach County well. Hardness levels of 250-400+ ppm are common in western areas. I've tested wells over 500 ppm—water so hard it's almost mineralized.
At these levels, water heaters fail in 3-5 years instead of 10-15. Scale clogs pipes. Soap barely lathers. The crusty white buildup on fixtures is constant and aggressive.
Bacteria
This is the safety concern that keeps me up at night. City water is continuously disinfected; well water is not. If bacteria get into your well—from a compromised well seal, septic system proximity, surface water infiltration, or just the natural environment—there's nothing to stop them from reaching your tap.
Coliform bacteria (indicating general contamination) and E. coli (indicating fecal contamination) are the main concerns. Florida requires testing at well installation, but ongoing testing is the homeowner's responsibility. Most people don't test regularly, and contamination can develop at any time.
Nitrates
Western Palm Beach County has significant agricultural activity—horse farms, nurseries, row crops. Fertilizer runoff percolates into groundwater, elevating nitrate levels.
Nitrates are particularly dangerous for infants (causing "blue baby syndrome") and pregnant women. The EPA limit is 10 ppm. I've tested wells in agricultural areas of Palm Beach County at 8-12 ppm—at or above the safe limit.
Turbidity and Sediment
Well water often contains fine sand, silt, or other particles—especially in sandy Florida soils. New wells or wells that haven't been used recently can produce water that's visibly cloudy with sediment.
Sediment isn't necessarily dangerous, but it clogs fixtures, damages appliances, and makes water unappealing to drink.
Tannins
In some areas, groundwater picks up tannins from decomposing organic matter—essentially, the water is tea-stained. Tannin-affected water has a yellow or brown tint and a slightly earthy taste. It's not harmful, but it looks unappetizing and can stain fixtures and laundry.
The Well Water Treatment Solution
Treating well water properly requires a multi-stage approach because you're dealing with multiple distinct problems. Here's what a typical comprehensive well water system looks like:
Sediment Filtration (First Stage): Catches particles before they reach other equipment. Usually a spin-down filter for heavy sediment followed by a cartridge filter for finer particles. Cost: $300-600 installed.
Iron and Sulfur Removal: This is specialized equipment—usually an air injection or chemical injection system that oxidizes iron and sulfur, followed by filtration to remove the oxidized particles. The specific system depends on iron and sulfur levels. Cost: $1,500-3,500 installed.
Water Softener: Same function as with city water, but often needs to be larger capacity to handle the extreme hardness common in wells. Cost: $1,500-2,800 installed.
UV Sterilization: Kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Essential for any well water system—even if your water tests clean now, contamination can develop later. Cost: $600-1,200 installed.
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis: For drinking water, provides final protection against nitrates, any residual contaminants, and gives you genuinely pure water. Especially important if nitrates are elevated. Cost: $400-1,400 installed.
Total typical investment for well water: $4,500-8,500 depending on specific contaminants and home size.
Yes, it's significantly more expensive than city water treatment. The equipment is more complex, there are more stages, and the problems are more severe. There's no way around it.
The Comparison: City Water vs. Well Water Treatment
Let me put this side by side so you can see the differences clearly.
Complexity
City Water: Relatively straightforward. You're primarily dealing with chlorine, hardness, and potential PFAS/lead concerns. Two to three pieces of equipment handle most situations.
Well Water: Multi-layered challenges requiring four to six treatment stages. Iron, sulfur, hardness, bacteria, and potentially nitrates all need to be addressed with different technologies.
Cost
City Water: $2,500-5,000 for a comprehensive system. Annual maintenance $400-700.
Well Water: $4,500-8,500 for a comprehensive system. Annual maintenance $700-1,200.
Maintenance Intensity
City Water: Relatively low maintenance. Filter changes every 6-12 months, softener salt monthly, occasional system checks.
Well Water: Higher maintenance. More filters to change, iron removal systems need periodic media replacement, UV bulbs need annual replacement, more potential failure points.
Risk Profile
City Water: Low health risk (city does primary treatment). Main concerns are aesthetic issues and long-term contaminant exposure (PFAS, lead, disinfection byproducts).
Well Water: Higher health risk without treatment. Bacterial contamination is possible at any time. Nitrate exposure can be dangerous for vulnerable populations. You're responsible for your own water safety.
Testing Requirements
City Water: Annual Consumer Confidence Reports from your utility give you baseline information. Additional testing for PFAS and lead recommended for high-risk situations.
Well Water: Annual testing for bacteria and nitrates is essential. More comprehensive testing every few years. Testing after any flooding, well work, or system changes.
Moving From City to Well (Or Vice Versa)
This comes up a lot. People move from coastal condos to western acreage, or from rural properties to developments with city water. Here's what to expect:
City to Well: The Adjustment
If you're moving from city water to well water—say, from Boca Raton to Loxahatchee—prepare for sticker shock on water treatment costs and a different relationship with your water.
On city water, you probably didn't think about your water much. It came out of the tap, it was fine, end of story.
On well water, you're the water utility. You're responsible for testing, treatment, and maintenance. If something goes wrong, there's no utility to call—it's your problem.
I recommend comprehensive water testing before you close on any property with well water. Know exactly what you're dealing with before you buy. Budget $5,000-8,000 for proper water treatment installation—factor that into your purchase decision.
Don't assume the existing water treatment system (if any) is adequate. I've walked into plenty of western Palm Beach County homes where the previous owner had a basic softener and nothing else—completely inadequate for the actual water quality.
Well to City: The Simplification
Moving in the other direction—from well water to city water—is usually a pleasant surprise. Your water treatment needs drop significantly, and you no longer have to worry about bacteria, well maintenance, or pump failures.
If you're selling a home with well water and buying one with city water, you might be able to reuse your softener (if it's in good condition and properly sized). The iron removal, UV system, and well-specific equipment won't be needed.
If you're buying a home with city water that previously had well water (maybe the area was annexed into city service), check whether the old well equipment was properly removed or bypassed. I've seen homes with abandoned well treatment systems still inline, causing problems with the now-city water supply.
Special Situations in Palm Beach County
Coastal Homes: Saltwater Intrusion
If you're on well water close to the coast—rare but it exists—saltwater intrusion is a concern. Rising sea levels and over-pumping of aquifers push saltwater inland, contaminating freshwater wells.
Signs of saltwater intrusion: water tastes salty or brackish, elevated chloride levels on testing, increased hardness. If saltwater intrusion is severe, the well may not be usable without extremely expensive treatment (essentially desalination).
Most coastal areas are on city water for exactly this reason—the municipal utilities have deeper wells and more sophisticated treatment.
Rural Agricultural Areas: Chemical Exposure
If you're buying in or near agricultural areas—horse farms, nurseries, citrus groves—be aware of potential pesticide and herbicide contamination in groundwater.
Standard well water testing doesn't include agricultural chemicals. You may need to request specific testing for compounds like atrazine, glyphosate, or whatever's commonly used in your area.
Agricultural chemical contamination is treatable (usually with activated carbon and RO), but you need to know it exists first.
Homes With Both Well and City Water
Some homes have city water for the house but maintain a well for irrigation. This saves money on landscape watering but creates some considerations:
Keep the systems completely separate. No cross-connections, ever.
The irrigation well may still need treatment if iron is staining your hardscape or landscaping.
If you ever convert the irrigation well to whole-house use, get it tested before connecting.
New Construction Out West
If you're building new in well water territory, think about water treatment during construction, not after.
Pre-plumb for a water treatment system—it's much easier and cheaper to rough in the plumbing during construction than to retrofit later. Consider where the equipment will go (garage, utility room) and ensure there's adequate space, electrical, and drainage.
Drill your well early and test the water before finalizing your treatment system design. Every well is different, even on the same street. Your neighbor's iron level doesn't tell you what yours will be.
Testing Your Water: What to Know
Whether you're on city water or well water, testing is the foundation of good water treatment decisions. But the testing needs are different.
City Water Testing
What you probably don't need to test: Basic safety parameters. Your utility tests constantly and publishes annual reports. Bacteria, basic chemicals, and most regulated contaminants are monitored.
What you should test:
Hardness (to size a softener correctly)
Chlorine/chloramine levels (to confirm what you're dealing with)
PFAS (if you're within 5 miles of the airport or other potential sources)
Lead (if your home was built before 1986 or has older fixtures)
TDS for baseline reference
Cost: $50-200 depending on comprehensiveness
Well Water Testing
Annual testing (non-negotiable):
Coliform bacteria
E. coli
Nitrates/nitrites
Baseline testing when you buy or install a new system:
Full mineral panel (iron, manganese, hardness, pH, TDS)
Sulfur/hydrogen sulfide
Bacteria panel
Nitrates
Tannins (if water is discolored)
Agricultural chemicals (if in farming area)
After any significant event:
Flooding or standing water near the well
Well pump replacement or well work
Nearby construction or septic work
Any change in water appearance, taste, or smell
Cost: $150-400 for comprehensive well testing
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
If you're trying to decide where to live in Palm Beach County, or figuring out water treatment for where you already live, here's my honest assessment:
City Water Advantages
Lower water treatment costs
Less maintenance and complexity
Municipal utility handles primary treatment and safety
More predictable water quality
No well pump to maintain or replace
No risk of bacteria contamination (under normal conditions)
City Water Disadvantages
Monthly water bills (well water is "free" after equipment costs)
Chlorine/chloramine taste and smell
No control over municipal treatment decisions
PFAS and other emerging contaminants may not be fully addressed
Subject to boil water notices and system outages
Well Water Advantages
No monthly water bills
No chlorine (unless you add it for treatment)
Independence from municipal systems
Often better-tasting water once properly treated
No concerns about municipal PFAS contamination
Well Water Disadvantages
Higher upfront treatment costs
More complex, higher-maintenance systems
You're responsible for water safety
Risk of bacteria contamination requires vigilance
Well pump maintenance and eventual replacement ($1,500-3,500)
Iron and sulfur are persistent challenges
My Honest Take
If you're choosing between similar properties—one on city water, one on well water—and all else is equal, city water is easier and cheaper to live with for most people. The treatment needs are simpler, the maintenance is lower, and you don't have to worry about bacteria.
But "all else equal" is rarely the reality. People choose properties in well water areas because they want space, acreage, horses, privacy, or lower property costs. The water situation is a tradeoff, not a dealbreaker.
If you're going to live with well water, just go in with your eyes open. Budget appropriately for treatment. Commit to annual testing. Understand that you're your own utility company now.
And get proper treatment installed. I've seen too many people move out west, cheap out on water treatment, and end up with orange-stained everything, rotten egg smell, and no protection against bacteria. That's not the way to enjoy your new property.
Working With Water Wizards
We treat both city water and well water throughout Palm Beach County, and we approach each situation based on what your water actually needs—not what we want to sell you.
For city water customers, we typically recommend whole-house carbon filtration (with catalytic carbon for chloramines), a properly-sized water softener, and under-sink RO for drinking water. Simple, effective, and addresses the common Palm Beach County municipal water issues.
For well water customers, we start with comprehensive testing to understand exactly what's in your water. Then we design a multi-stage system that addresses your specific combination of challenges. No two wells are exactly alike, and cookie-cutter solutions don't work.
Whether you're in a high-rise in West Palm Beach or on ten acres in Loxahatchee, we'll test your water, explain what we find in plain English, and recommend the right solution for your situation.
Free Water Testing Throughout Palm Beach County
Call Water Wizards at 561-352-9989 or visit waterwizards.ai
We serve all of Palm Beach County from Jupiter to Boca Raton, from the coast to the western communities. City water or well water—we've got you covered.
Water Wizards Filtration — Florida's Water Filtration Experts
Frequently Asked Questions: Well Water vs. City Water in Palm Beach County
How do I know if my Palm Beach County home is on well water or city water?
Check your water bill—if you receive a monthly bill from a municipal utility (City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Water Utilities, City of Boca Raton, etc.), you're on city water. No water bill typically means well water. You can also look for a well head and pressure tank in your yard or garage—these are the telltale signs of a private well system. If you're buying a home, the property disclosure and inspection report should specify the water source. Generally, homes east of the Turnpike are on city water; homes west of the Turnpike (Loxahatchee, The Acreage, western Wellington, western Royal Palm Beach) are more likely to have private wells. When in doubt, call the Palm Beach County Water Utilities department or check your property records.
Why does my well water in Loxahatchee turn everything orange?
That's iron—and it's extremely common in western Palm Beach County wells. Iron levels above 0.3 ppm cause visible staining, and I regularly test wells in Loxahatchee and The Acreage at 2-5 ppm or higher. When iron-laden water contacts air, it oxidizes and turns orange, staining toilets, sinks, tubs, laundry, and even outdoor surfaces where sprinklers hit. Iron also promotes iron bacteria growth (that reddish-brown slime in toilet tanks). The solution is an iron removal system—typically air injection or chemical oxidation followed by filtration. This equipment runs $1,500-3,500 installed and is essential for western Palm Beach County wells. Basic water softeners don't remove iron at these levels; you need dedicated iron removal equipment.
Is well water safe to drink without treatment in Palm Beach County?
I wouldn't recommend it. While some wells produce water that's technically safe, the risks are significant. Bacteria can enter wells from compromised seals, nearby septic systems, or surface water infiltration—and there's no municipal treatment to kill them. Nitrates from agricultural runoff are common in western areas and dangerous for infants and pregnant women. Even if bacteria and nitrates aren't present, iron and sulfur make untreated well water unpleasant to drink. At minimum, well water should be tested annually for bacteria and nitrates, and I strongly recommend UV sterilization on any well water system—even if tests come back clean, contamination can develop at any time. For drinking water specifically, under-sink reverse osmosis provides comprehensive protection regardless of what's in your well.
Why does Palm Beach County city water taste like a swimming pool?
Most Palm Beach County municipal utilities use chloramines (chlorine combined with ammonia) for disinfection. Chloramines are more stable than plain chlorine, lasting longer in the distribution system, but they create that distinctive swimming pool taste and smell. Chloramine levels typically run 1.5-4.0 ppm in Palm Beach County—higher if you're at the end of a long distribution line, lower if you're near a treatment plant. Whole-house carbon filtration removes chloramines, but you need catalytic carbon specifically—standard activated carbon doesn't effectively remove chloramines. A properly installed catalytic carbon system ($1,200-2,000) eliminates the chlorine taste and smell throughout your home. For drinking water only, under-sink reverse osmosis also removes chloramines completely.
How much does it cost to treat well water vs. city water in Palm Beach County?
City water treatment typically costs $2,500-5,000 for a comprehensive system (whole-house carbon, softener, under-sink RO) with annual maintenance of $400-700. Well water treatment is significantly more expensive: $4,500-8,500 for a comprehensive system (sediment filtration, iron/sulfur removal, softener, UV sterilization, under-sink RO) with annual maintenance of $700-1,200. The difference reflects the complexity—well water requires more treatment stages to address multiple contaminants (iron, sulfur, bacteria, hardness, potentially nitrates) while city water primarily needs chlorine removal and softening. When budgeting for a property with well water, factor in these treatment costs plus eventual well pump replacement ($1,500-3,500) every 10-15 years.
Should I test my water before buying a home in Palm Beach County?
Absolutely—especially for homes with well water. A pre-purchase water test ($150-400 for comprehensive well testing) reveals exactly what you're dealing with and helps you budget for treatment. For well water, test at minimum: bacteria, nitrates, iron, sulfur, hardness, and pH. For city water in older homes (pre-1986), test for lead. For any home within 5 miles of Palm Beach International Airport, test for PFAS. Include water treatment costs in your purchase calculations—a home with a problematic well might need $6,000-8,000 in treatment equipment. Most home inspectors don't do comprehensive water testing; you may need to arrange this separately. Don't assume existing water treatment equipment is adequate—have it evaluated as part of your due diligence.
What areas of Palm Beach County have the worst well water?
The most challenging well water I encounter is in Loxahatchee and The Acreage—iron levels are consistently high (often 2-5+ ppm), sulfur is common, and hardness frequently exceeds 300 ppm. These areas require comprehensive multi-stage treatment: iron removal, sulfur treatment, softening, and UV sterilization. Western Wellington and western Royal Palm Beach also have difficult well water, though typically somewhat less severe than Loxahatchee. Agricultural areas add nitrate concerns from fertilizer runoff. Jupiter Farms and Palm Beach Country Estates have variable water quality—some wells are relatively clean, others have significant iron and sulfur. The rule of thumb: the further west you go in Palm Beach County, the more challenging (and expensive to treat) the well water tends to be. Always test before buying or building.
Can I switch from well water to city water in Palm Beach County?
Sometimes, but it depends on whether municipal water service is available at your location. Palm Beach County Water Utilities and other providers have been expanding service to previously unserved areas, but connection costs can be significant—often $5,000-15,000+ depending on distance to the main line and required permits. Contact your local utility to determine if service is available and what connection would cost. If city water isn't available, you can improve your well water situation with proper treatment—modern well water systems effectively address iron, sulfur, bacteria, and hardness, producing water quality equal to or better than municipal water. For some western properties, community well systems serve neighborhoods through a shared well and treatment facility—these function similarly to municipal water with monthly fees but often better water quality than individual wells.
How often should I test my well water in Palm Beach County?
Annual testing for bacteria (coliform and E. coli) and nitrates is essential—these are safety-critical parameters that can change over time. More comprehensive testing (full mineral panel, iron, sulfur, pH, hardness, tannins) should be done every 3-5 years or whenever you notice changes in water quality. Test immediately after any flooding or standing water near your well, after well pump replacement or any well work, after nearby construction or septic system work, or if you notice any change in water taste, smell, color, or clarity. Keep records of your test results to track trends over time. If you have a water treatment system, test both raw well water (before treatment) and treated water (after treatment) to verify your system is working properly. Testing costs $50-100 for basic bacteria/nitrate panels, $150-400 for comprehensive analysis.
