Florida Water Well Statistics 2026: 50 Facts & Data You Need to Know
Florida Water Well Overview
Florida's groundwater resources are among the most productive in the nation, thanks to the massive Floridan Aquifer System. The state's karst limestone geology creates highly productive aquifers that supply drinking water to nearly half of Florida's population.
Source: USGS Floridan Aquifer System Study
Well Statistics by Type
| Well Type | Estimated Number | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/Private | 720,000 | 60% |
| Irrigation | 300,000 | 25% |
| Public Supply | 84,000 | 7% |
| Commercial/Industrial | 60,000 | 5% |
| Monitoring | 36,000 | 3% |
Key Florida Well Facts
- 3.2 million Floridians rely on private wells for drinking water (USGS, 2024)
- 15% of Florida's population uses private well water
- 90% of Florida's groundwater comes from the Floridan Aquifer
- 4.1 billion gallons/day of fresh groundwater withdrawn in Florida
- 62% of Florida's freshwater supply comes from groundwater
- Water-supply wells first drilled in Florida in the late 1880s
- 5 Water Management Districts regulate well permits
- 25,000+ new wells drilled annually
- 1,850+ licensed well contractors in Florida
Florida Aquifer Systems
Source: USGS
Major Florida Aquifers
| Aquifer | Region | Depth Range | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Floridan | North/Central FL | 100-500 ft | Municipal, domestic |
| Lower Floridan | Throughout FL | 500-2,000 ft | Large municipal systems |
| Biscayne | SE Florida/Miami | 40-200 ft | Miami-Dade water supply |
| Surficial Aquifer | Statewide | 0-100 ft | Irrigation, domestic |
| Intermediate Aquifer | Southwest FL | 100-600 ft | Domestic, small PWS |
| Sand-and-Gravel | NW Panhandle | 50-300 ft | Domestic, municipal |
Floridan Aquifer System
- Type: Highly productive carbonate (limestone/dolomite) aquifer
- Storage: One of the most productive aquifers in the world
- Withdrawals: 3+ billion gallons/day
- Agricultural use: Nearly 50% of all Floridan withdrawals
- Recharge: High in north-central FL recharge areas
- Water quality: Generally excellent in Upper Floridan
Biscayne Aquifer
- Location: Southeast Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach)
- Serves: 4+ million people in Greater Miami
- Depth: Very shallow (40-200 feet)
- Unique: Designated "Sole Source Aquifer" by EPA
- Challenge: Saltwater intrusion along coast
- Recharge: Rapid due to porous limestone
Wells by Florida Region
Water Management Districts
| District | Est. Wells | Primary Aquifer | Avg Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns River (SJRWMD) | 380,000 | Upper Floridan | 185 ft |
| South Florida (SFWMD) | 340,000 | Biscayne/Surficial | 85 ft |
| Southwest Florida (SWFWMD) | 265,000 | Upper Floridan | 245 ft |
| Suwannee River (SRWMD) | 125,000 | Upper Floridan | 165 ft |
| Northwest Florida (NWFWMD) | 90,000 | Sand-and-Gravel | 135 ft |
Wells by Major Metro Area
| Metro Area | Est. Private Wells | Primary Aquifer |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 145,000 | Upper Floridan |
| Tampa Bay | 125,000 | Upper Floridan |
| Orlando | 110,000 | Upper Floridan |
| Miami-Ft. Lauderdale | 85,000 | Biscayne |
| Pensacola | 55,000 | Sand-and-Gravel |
| Gainesville | 48,000 | Upper Floridan |
| Ocala | 42,000 | Upper Floridan |
Groundwater Use Statistics
Source: USGS Water Use in Florida, 2020
Groundwater Use by Sector
| Sector | Daily Use (MGD) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Public Supply | 1,640 | 40% |
| Agricultural Irrigation | 1,312 | 32% |
| Domestic Self-Supply | 287 | 7% |
| Commercial/Industrial | 369 | 9% |
| Recreational Irrigation | 410 | 10% |
| Power Generation | 82 | 2% |
Well Depth Statistics
Source: Florida Water Management Districts
Well Depths by Region
| Region/Aquifer | Domestic Avg | Irrigation Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Florida (Floridan) | 185 ft | 250 ft | 80-500 ft |
| Central Florida (Floridan) | 245 ft | 350 ft | 100-600 ft |
| Tampa Bay (Floridan) | 285 ft | 400 ft | 150-700 ft |
| SE Florida (Biscayne) | 75 ft | 95 ft | 40-150 ft |
| SW Florida (Intermediate) | 165 ft | 220 ft | 80-400 ft |
| Panhandle (Sand-Gravel) | 135 ft | 185 ft | 50-300 ft |
| Surficial (statewide) | 45 ft | 65 ft | 20-100 ft |
Well Drilling Costs (2026)
Source: Florida Ground Water Association
Florida has some of the lowest well drilling costs in the nation due to soft limestone formations, shallow productive aquifers, and a competitive contractor market.
Drilling Costs by Region
| Region | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE Florida (Biscayne) | $3,000 | $5,500 | $10,000 |
| North Florida (Floridan) | $4,500 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Central Florida | $5,500 | $9,500 | $18,000 |
| Tampa Bay Area | $6,500 | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| SW Florida | $5,000 | $9,000 | $17,000 |
| Panhandle | $4,000 | $7,500 | $14,000 |
Cost per Foot
- Surficial/sand: $8-18/foot
- Limestone (Floridan): $12-25/foot
- Hard limestone: $18-35/foot
- Biscayne (porous): $10-20/foot
Water Quality Statistics
Source: FDEP, USGS
Common Water Quality Issues
| Parameter | % Affected | Common Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (>180 mg/L) | 75% | Statewide (limestone) |
| Iron (>0.3 mg/L) | 25% | Surficial aquifer areas |
| Sulfur/H2S odor | 35% | Central/South Florida |
| TDS (>500 mg/L) | 22% | Coastal areas |
| Nitrate (>5 mg/L) | 8% | Agricultural areas |
| Saltwater intrusion | 5% | Coastal Biscayne, Gulf Coast |
| Bacteria (coliform) | 12% | Shallow wells statewide |
Unique Florida Issues
- Sulfur odor: Common in Floridan Aquifer; caused by naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide
- Tannins: Brown/yellow color in surficial aquifer wells near swamps
- Saltwater intrusion: Growing concern along both coasts
- Sinkholes: Karst geology creates sinkhole risk in Central Florida
📊 Data Sources & Methodology
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Floridan Aquifer System studies, water use data
- Florida Water Management Districts - Permit data, regional statistics
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) - Water quality data
- Florida Ground Water Association - Industry cost data
Last Updated: February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many water wells are in Florida?
Florida has approximately 1.2 million registered water wells. The Floridan Aquifer System is the primary drinking water source for almost 10 million Floridians.
What is the average well depth in Florida?
Average depths are 150-300 feet for Floridan Aquifer wells and 40-100 feet for surficial/Biscayne Aquifer wells. Florida's productive aquifers allow for relatively shallow wells.
How much does it cost to drill a well in Florida?
A complete residential well in Florida costs $4,000-$15,000, among the lowest in the nation due to soft limestone and shallow depths.
What aquifers supply Florida's water?
Florida has three main aquifer systems: Floridan (90% of groundwater), Biscayne (South Florida), and Sand-and-Gravel (Panhandle).
Do you need a permit to drill a well in Florida?
Yes, permits are required from one of five Water Management Districts. Domestic wells under 4 inches diameter qualify for expedited permits.
Need Well Service Information?
Southern California Well Service serves San Diego and Riverside Counties. For Florida service, contact the Florida Ground Water Association at (850) 224-4332.
California service: (760) 440-8520
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