Water Well Drilling in Florida: Geology, Regulations, and Best Practices
Geological Overview and Major Aquifers
Florida’s geology is dominated by a sequence of porous limestones and sands that host several important aquifers. Understanding these aquifer systems is crucial for water well drilling, as depth to water, well yield, and water quality vary across the state. The table below summarizes Florida’s major aquifer systems, their typical depths and yields, and where they are prevalent:
| Aquifer System | Approx. Depth Range | Typical Yield | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floridan Aquifer System | Near-surface in north; 1,000–3,000 ft deep in far south | High (hundreds to 1,000+ GPM); among the world’s most productive | Statewide (principal fresh water source in north/central FL; brackish at depth in southern FL) |
| Biscayne Aquifer | 0–200 ft (very shallow, unconfined) | Very High (commonly 1,000+ GPM) | Southeast Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, S. Palm Beach counties) |
| Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer | 0–300 ft (two zones: surficial & main confined zone) | High (50–500 GPM typical; up to ~1,000 GPM in best areas) | Western Panhandle (Escambia & Santa Rosa counties) |
| Surficial Aquifer System | 0–50 ft thick typically (up to ~400 ft in places) | Low–Moderate (sufficient for domestic/small supply) | Scattered statewide (shallow sand/shell aquifers used where deeper systems are mineralized) |
| Intermediate Aquifer System | 100–400 ft (multi-layered sand, shell, limestone under confining clay) | Moderate (supports public supply wells in SW Florida) | Southwest Florida (main supply for Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee counties where Floridan is brackish) |
Florida’s primary aquifer is the Floridan Aquifer System, a thick sequence of limestone and dolomite underlying the entire state. The Upper Floridan is the principal source of fresh groundwater in most of north and central Florida, where it is relatively shallow and highly productive. In the southern peninsula, the Floridan lies much deeper (often over 1,000 feet) and contains brackish water, so it is less used for potable supply. Instead, in those areas, drillers rely on shallower aquifers: for example, the Biscayne Aquifer in southeast Florida and the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer in the western Panhandle provide abundant fresh water where the deeper Floridan is not usable. The Biscayne Aquifer (Miami area) is an extension of the surficial aquifer system composed of highly permeable limestone; it is unconfined and known for extremely high yields, supplying all of Broward and Miami-Dade County’s water needs. In contrast, the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer of northwestern Florida consists of coarse sands and gravels; wells in this aquifer commonly yield 50–500 GPM, with the best wells up to 1,000 GPM.
The Surficial Aquifer System includes any near-surface aquifers not part of the above major systems. Surficial deposits (sands, shell, limestone) are generally thin (tens of feet thick on average) but can reach a few hundred feet in some coastal areas. These shallow aquifers typically provide lower yields and are used mainly for domestic, irrigation, or small municipal wells. In parts of southwest Florida, an Intermediate Aquifer System (also called the intermediate or “sandstone” aquifers) exists between the surficial and Floridan; it is the primary water source for counties like Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee, because the underlying Floridan Aquifer is too mineralized there. Understanding the depth to and productivity of these aquifers in each region helps drillers plan well design (casing, screen intervals, pump size) for adequate yield.
Water Well Permitting Requirements in Florida
State Permitting Rules: Florida law requires obtaining a permit before constructing any new water well, or repairing, modifying, or abandoning an existing well. This applies to all wells, regardless of size or use, including monitoring and test wells. The permit ensures the well will be built by a licensed contractor and meet state construction standards. Well construction permits are regulated under Chapter 62-532, Florida Administrative Code, which provides statewide well construction requirements. In addition, each Water Management District has adopted its own well regulations (Chapter 40-3, F.A.C. for each district) that apply regionally. These rules cover well siting, construction methods, materials, minimum casing depths, grouting, well testing, and reporting.
Permitting Authorities: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) oversees water well regulation statewide but has delegated day-to-day permitting to the five regional Water Management Districts (WMDs). Each WMD (Northwest, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest, and South Florida) administers permits in its jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with state standards and any local requirements. In some counties, a WMD has further delegated the well permitting program to a local agency such as the county health department. For example, Broward, Miami-Dade, and several other counties process well permits through their county health departments under agreement with the WMD. It’s important for drillers to check which agency is the permitting authority in their job’s county. In all cases, the same state rules and forms are used, and permits are reviewed for proper construction plans (location, casing, grout, etc.). Permit applications usually require information on the proposed well location, depth, casing, drilling method, and intended use.
Consumptive Use Considerations: A well construction permit is about how the well is built, not the right to use the water. Large-capacity wells may also require a separate water use permit. In Florida, a Consumptive (Water) Use Permit (CUP or WUP) is required from the WMD if the well’s withdrawals exceed certain thresholds or are for uses beyond a single-family domestic supply. The water use permit (when required) should be obtained before the well construction permit is issued. Small residential wells (e.g., one well for a single home) and firefighting wells are generally exempt from needing a water use permit, but they still require a construction permit. Drillers should ensure their clients have any necessary water withdrawal permits in place in addition to the well construction approval.
Regulatory Agencies and Oversight
Florida’s groundwater and well construction activities are governed by multiple agencies working together:
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP): The state agency with overall authority for groundwater protection and well construction rules. FDEP establishes statewide standards (via Florida Statutes and Ch. 62-532, F.A.C.) and delegates implementation to the WMDs. FDEP also administers the statewide well contractor licensing program (in coordination with WMDs) and maintains databases of well information.
- Water Management Districts (WMDs): Five regional districts (see map below) manage permitting of wells, enforcement of construction standards, and resource monitoring in their regions. WMD staff review well permit applications, inspect well construction if needed, and ensure compliance. They also handle licensing exams and approvals for water well contractors in their region on behalf of FDEP. Each WMD has slightly different permit procedures or additional guidelines tailored to local hydrogeology, but all follow the core state standards.
WMD Regions: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. - County Health Departments: In counties where the WMD has delegated authority, the local health department may issue well permits and perform inspections. These include several counties such as Broward, Miami-Dade, Sarasota, etc. The health departments enforce the same FDEP/WMD rules. Additionally, Florida Department of Health (DOH) regulates the water quality aspects of wells that serve public drinking water systems (e.g., requiring water sampling for new public supply wells), though DOH is generally not responsible for the well construction permit itself (unless delegated).
Florida is divided into five regional Water Management Districts, each responsible for groundwater resources and well permitting in their jurisdiction. Drillers must apply to the appropriate WMD (or its delegated local agency) for well construction permits and ensure they follow any district-specific requirements or guidance documents. Cooperation between FDEP, WMDs, and local agencies aims to protect groundwater from contamination and overuse while facilitating responsible well development.
Well Construction Standards and Best Practices
Statewide Construction Standards: All water wells in Florida must be constructed in accordance with minimum standards set by FDEP’s rules (Ch. 62-532, F.A.C.) and the WMD regulations. These standards exist to prevent aquifer contamination and to ensure durable, safe wells. Key requirements include:
- Casing Materials and Depth: Wells must use approved casing materials (steel, PVC, etc.) that are strong and watertight. The casing must be installed to a depth sufficient to prevent surface contamination and to seal off any undesirable water zones. For example, potable water wells generally must have casing extending through the upper sand/soil and into the top of the confining formation above the target aquifer.
- Grouting and Sealing: A cement or bentonite grout must be placed in the annular space between the well casing and borehole to seal the well. Florida rules typically require a minimum 2-inch annular space and for the annulus to be grouted from the casing shoe up to land surface. Grouting prevents surface water (or poor-quality water from upper layers) from migrating down along the casing and mixing with the aquifer. In practice, this means after drilling the borehole, the driller tremies neat cement or bentonite slurry to fill the space around the casing. Certain coastal areas or specific aquifer conditions may have additional sealing criteria (for instance, special “grout line” requirements in South Florida where artesian conditions exist).
- Well Screens and Development: For wells completed in unconsolidated aquifers (e.g., sand aquifers), well screens of proper slot size must be installed and packed with filter sand as needed. The well should be developed (by flushing, surging, etc.) to ensure sand-free operation. In consolidated rock (e.g., Floridan wells), open-hole completions are common once the casing is set through the overburden, but the open borehole should be properly cleaned out.
- Setbacks and Protection: State and local rules require that wells be set a safe distance from potential contamination sources. For example, minimum distances from septic tanks, sewer lines, fuel tanks, and other hazards are specified to protect water quality. Drillers must be aware of these setbacks (often 50 to 100 feet or more, depending on the source). Additionally, the well must be completed with a sanitary well cap and (for larger wells) a concrete pad to seal the surface opening.
Adhering to these standards is not only a legal requirement but also good practice to ensure a long service life for the well and to protect Florida’s groundwater. Improperly constructed wells can create pathways for contamination or cross-flow between aquifers, which is why the WMD inspectors may spot-check work and why detailed construction reports are required.
Water Well Contractor Licensing
All water well drilling contractors in Florida must be licensed. The state’s Water Well Contractor Licensing program is administered by the WMDs under FDEP oversight. To obtain a license, an individual must meet experience requirements (at least 2 years of relevant well drilling experience is mandated by statute) and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers Florida well construction rules, drilling methods, safety, and business practices. Applicants apply through the WMD where they do most of their work, but the license, once granted, is valid statewide. License holders must also obtain continuing education credits to renew their license every two years, ensuring they stay up to date on regulations and techniques (FDEP provides a Water Well Contractor Continuing Education manual and course listings).
Working without a water well contractor license or pulling a permit under someone else’s license is illegal and can result in penalties. The WMDs enforce licensing rules, and there are disciplinary guidelines for violations (e.g., poor workmanship, misconduct). Therefore, drillers must ensure they are properly licensed and that their license number is displayed on their drilling rigs, business vehicles, and ads as required by Florida law.
Documentation and Reporting
Florida maintains thorough documentation requirements for water wells. After completing a well, the driller must submit a Well Completion Report to the permitting authority within 30 days. This report (submitted on the official statewide form) documents the as-built details: final well depth, casing depths and diameters, screen intervals, grout placement, water levels, pumping test results (if any), and a log of geologic materials encountered. The report must be signed by the licensed contractor who constructed the well, certifying that it is accurate and that the well was built in compliance with the permit. These well logs become part of the public record and are used by regulators and researchers (Florida has tens of thousands of well records that inform groundwater studies).
The state provides standard forms for all required documentation. Common forms include:
- State of Florida Permit Application to Construct, Repair, Modify, or Abandon a Well – this is the unified permit application form used statewide. A copy of the issued permit must be kept at the job site during drilling. The permit document typically stipulates any special conditions (e.g., grouting depth, pump tests) and has an expiration date.
- State of Florida Well Completion Report – the standardized well log form for reporting well construction details. It includes sections for location, construction data, formations encountered, water levels, and well yield. The driller fills this out upon completion and submits it to the WMD (many districts allow online submission; for instance, SFWMD accepts well reports via its ePermitting portal).
- Well abandonment form – If a well is plugged and abandoned, Florida requires a documentation of the abandonment method (material used, depth filled, etc.). This may be done on the same completion report form or a dedicated form if the well was never completed, noting that the well was abandoned in accordance with rules.
Drillers should familiarize themselves with the forms and reporting processes of their WMD. Most WMDs have electronic permitting systems where you can apply for permits and upload completion reports online. Accurate and timely submission of well reports is not only a legal obligation :contentReference[oaicite:63]{index=63} but also helps build a reliable hydrogeologic database for the state. Remember that even if a permitted well was not constructed (for example, the project was canceled), a report stating “well not drilled” or “no work performed under this permit” must still be filed within 30 days of permit expiration.
Utility Clearance (Sunshine 811) Requirements
Before drilling or excavating, Florida law requires notifying the state’s one-call utility location service, Sunshine 811. By statute, an excavator (including well drillers) must contact Sunshine 811 at least 2 full business days in advance of starting any excavation. This advance notice triggers utility providers to mark the locations of underground utilities (such as electric lines, gas pipelines, water/sewer mains, communications cables) at the site. Hitting buried utilities can be extremely dangerous and costly, so this “Call 811 Before You Dig” process is vital. The service is free, and a single call (or online ticket request) notifies all member utility companies in the area.
In practice, the driller or contractor should have the Sunshine 811 ticket number on hand and ensure the dig site is marked or described clearly for locators. Florida’s Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act (Chapter 556, F.S.) imposes penalties for failing to notify 811 and damaging utilities. Even for relatively shallow drilling like setting a well rig’s anchors or driving casing, an underground utility strike is possible, so never skip this step. Sunshine 811 can also provide a proof of compliance if any issue arises. Essentially, checking for underground utilities is part of the due diligence before any well drilling in Florida.
Other Considerations for Drillers in Florida
Licensing and Identification: As noted, a Florida water well contractor license is mandatory to operate. The license number must be present on all drilling equipment and reports. Additionally, crew members should be trained in Florida’s specific practices (like well disinfection procedures, which are recommended after construction) and safety protocols for drilling in karst (cavity-prone) terrains common in the state.
Regional Variations: Florida’s diverse hydrogeology means drilling techniques can vary. In South Florida’s Biscayne Aquifer, wells may be relatively shallow but must account for high water tables and soft limestone; reverse rotary or auger methods might be common. In contrast, North Florida Floridan wells might require drilling through hard rock and encountering artesian pressures (flowing wells). Some areas have shallow karst cavities that might need special sealing techniques (lost-circulation material, etc.). Drillers should research local well logs (available from WMD databases) to anticipate subsurface conditions like cavernous zones or confining clay depth.
Grout Curing and Inspection: Florida rules typically require a waiting period for grout to set (often 24 hours) before further well construction (like drilling out plug or test pumping) – this ensures the seal integrity'. Be prepared for possible field inspection; WMD staff or delegated officials can and do perform spot inspections, especially for public supply wells. They may verify that the casing depth and grout emplacement match the permitted design. It’s wise to keep drilling logs and materials receipts (for casing, grout) available on site.
Groundwater Protection Zones: Certain parts of Florida have designated wellhead protection or groundwater protection areas (for example, around public water supply wells or in designated springs protection zones). In such areas, additional restrictions may apply – e.g., grouting to a greater depth, or prohibitions on certain well types. Make sure to consult local regulations if drilling in a known protected zone.
By adhering to Florida’s permitting process, construction standards, and documentation requirements, well drillers help ensure sustainable use of groundwater and avoid legal pitfalls. The combination of Florida’s unique geology and robust regulatory framework means drillers must be both technically proficient and compliant. With proper planning – from calling 811 before you drill, to designing the well appropriate to the aquifer, to using the correct materials and filing the paperwork – water well projects in Florida can be completed efficiently while protecting the state’s precious groundwater resources.
Sources: Florida DEP, Florida Administrative Code, Water Management District guidelines, and Sunshine 811 documentation were used in preparing this article.
