The top of the well casing of a private well must be a minimum of 12-inches above grade according the Florida Administrative Code 62-532.500(4)(b)2, unless specified protection is installed. Here’s the full text of that citation:

    "For private and multi-family water system wells and irrigation wells, the upper terminus of the well casing shall project at least 12 inches above finished grade. Where a potential physical structure or traffic hazard may be present or where a potential public health threat exists, the upper well casing terminus may be placed in an appropriate enclosure terminating at finished grade. The enclosure shall be designed to allow vertical access to the upper well casing terminus for maintenance and inspection and provide for gravity drainage of the enclosure. The upper well casing terminus shall be constructed to a point 18 inches or less below finished grade. The upper well casing terminus shall be sealed with a water tight seal to prevent the entrance of surface water and contaminants into the well."

    So the well casing shown above is not compliant, and may expose the well to contamination with flood water after a heavy rain. The requirement has been in place for about the past 40 years, so very old wells may not have had to meet the 12-inch elevation standard. 

   The other problem that can lead to well contamination is when the small access plug for adding a sanitizing solution to the well at the casing cap is left open or damaged.

      Also, see our blog posts Why is the top of the well casing so far above the ground? and Does a homeowner need a permit to drill a water well on their property in Florida? and How far away does a well need to be from a septic system in Florida?

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about WELLS: 

• What is the blue dumbbell-shaped tank at the well equipment?

• What is the tank marked "potassium permanganate" in the water treatment system for? 

• Does an abandoned well need to be capped or removed?

 • Is a high iron level in well water a health hazard?

• How often should a well be disinfected? 

• Should I test my well water for arsenic?

• What is the danger of radon in well water? 

• What size generator do I need to run my submersible well pump?

• Why would a well need to have a chlorinator/dechlorinator system? 

• Why does my well pump turn on and off every time I use water?

• What is the required water testing for an FHA, VA, or USDA mortgage application? 

     Visit our WELLS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.