Frequently Asked Questions

Can a business owner, home owner or resident obtain a permit to construct, repair, or plug and abandon a well?

No. A Florida licensed water well contractor must apply for the permit.

I need to construct a well. Is a permit required?

Yes, a well construction permit is required to construct a well. A Florida licensed water well contractor must apply for the permit before construction  begins, and should provide the owner with a copy of the permit.

I need to repair an existing well. Is a permit required?

Yes, a well construction permit is required to repair a well. A Florida licensed water well contractor must apply for the permit before construction begins and should provide the owner with a copy of the permit.

Do I need a permit to install or repair the pump and/or electrical controls used for my well?

No, pumps and associated piping and electrical service are not considered part of the well and a permit from the District is not required to install or repair a pump and the associated piping.  However, you should check with your local code enforcement to see if you need a plumbing or electrical permit.

Do I need a permit to install, repair, or replace the water tank associated with my well?

No, water tanks and associated piping are not considered part of the well and a permit from the District to install, repair, or replace a water tank is not a requirement. However, you should check with your local code enforcement to see if you need a plumbing or electrical permit.

Do soil borings require a permit from the District?

Any boring installed with the sole intent to collect soil samples does not require a permit from the District.

How do I submit a complaint regarding construction, repair or abandonment of wells?

You can contact the Regulatory Services Division at (850) 539-5999 or email us at wps@nwfwater.com. To submit a complaint, click on the following link: Submit a Complaint

Do soil borings used to collect water samples require a permit from the District?

Yes, any boring installed with the intent to collect a water sample will be considered a monitor well or a temporary monitor well and shall require a construction permit and, in the case of temporary points, an abandonment permit from the District.

I need to plug and abandon a well. Is a permit required?

Yes. All abandoned wells must be properly plugged. A permit must be obtained from the District and the work must be completed by a Florida licensed water well contractor

How can I find out about the well on my property?

Water well contractors are required to submit a well completion report for all wells. These reports are available from the District.

My well was drilled before 1980. How do I find out how deep it is?

The District has partial records of well constructions from 1976-1980 and may have information relating to your well. The District does not have any permit records for wells constructed prior to 1976.

Do I need a water use permit to withdraw water from my well?

It depends. All wells, except domestic use wells, are required to have a water use permit. If size and quantity of water used fall under certain thresholds, the well may qualify for a general water use permit by rule when registered/permitted with the District. Wells exceeding these thresholds will require an individual water use permit. The water use permit must be issued before the construction permit for a new well can be issued by District staff. Please visit the District’s Water Use Permitting webpage for more information.

I want to put in an irrigation well at my business. What kind of permits do I need?

You will need a Well Construction Permit. In addition, you may need an Individual Water Use Permit. The District will make this determination when evaluating the well construction permit application. A permit to construct a well must be obtained by a Florida licensed water well contractor before construction begins and the contractor should provide the owner with a copy of the permit.

Where do I get a water use permit?

Please visit the District’s Water Use Permitting webpage for more information.

What is the cost of a Well Construction Permit?

Please see the fee schedule.

What are Institutional Control Areas?

Information on institutional control areas and where they are located in the Northwest Florida Water Management District can be found by visiting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) website at https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste/content/institutional-controls-registry-guidance.

What are PFOS and PFOA?

For information on PFOS and PFOA, please visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) website at http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/hazardous-waste-sites/contaminant-facts/hw-pfas.html and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website at https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste-cleanup/content/dep’s-efforts-address-pfoa-and-pfos-environment.

Does the presence of PFOS/PFOA in an area mean I cannot get a water well?

Not necessarily. The District’s water well program coordinates with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Department of Health (DOH). When PFOS/PFOA are identified in the area of a well construction permit application, the District reviews the location and construction of the well with DEP. Based on this review the well construction permit may be denied as a result of a threat to public health, or the well construction requirements may be modified to minimize potential impact to the well from PFOS/PFOA. Construction requirements cannot guarantee that the well water will be clear of PFOS/PFOA. The best preventive measure to eliminate exposure to PFOS/PFOA in an area is to not construct the well and, if an alternative water supply is available, to connect to that alternative water supply.

For more information on PFOS/PFOA, please visit the DEP’s website https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste-cleanup/content/dep’s-efforts-address-pfoa-and-pfos-environment and DOH’s website http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/hazardous-waste-sites/contaminant-facts/hw-pfas.html.

Is a permit required for the construction, repair, modification (change of use), or abandonment of an injection well?

A water well construction permit is required to be obtained from the District for Class V, Group 1, thermal exchange process wells, prior to construction, repair, modification, or abandonment. Thermal exchange process wells include air conditioning return flow wells used to return to any aquifer the water used for heating or cooling, and include cooling water return flow wells used to inject water previously used for cooling (including industrial and commercial wells use for the purpose of cooling equipment).

However, the District does not regulate wells identified in Chapter 62-528, Florida Administrative Code, as Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, or Class V Groups 2-9 authorized pursuant to Sections 403.061 and 403.087, F.S. These wells are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Waste Cleanup and Underground Injection Control Program. Injection wells must be constructed by persons who have obtained a license pursuant to Section 373.323, F.S., as otherwise required by law.

Do air sparge wells and wells used to introduce nutrients or other substances into groundwater at cleanup sites require permits for construction, repair, or abandonment?

Air sparge wells and wells used to introduce nutrients or other substances into groundwater at cleanup sites are Class V, Group 4 injection wells. These wells are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Waste Cleanup and Underground Injection Control Program, and are not regulated by the District.

Is there Radon gas in my well water?

If you have concerns about Radon gas, please call you call your county health department and ask to speak to someone in the Environmental Program.  For more information on Radon gas please visit this website:  http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/radon/index.html.

I think the water from my well may be contaminated. Who do I call with concerns and questions about contamination?

Questions and concerns about contaminated well water from residential potable wells and small water systems should be directed to the Florida Department of Health’s Drinking Water Section. The phone number for the Drinking Water Section is 850-245-4240. You may also email questions or concerns to AskEH@flhealth.gov. For general information, you may visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/drinking-water/index.html.

If you have concerns about water quality from a large water system, you should discuss the issue with your water system and/or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The phone number for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is 850-595-8300.

For concerns about contaminated water in a non-potable well, you should call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 850-595-8300