DeSoto County, FL
These figures come from wells tested in DeSoto County, FL, not from any one well.
- Iron is common in wells in DeSoto County, FL (7 of 27 tested wells were over that level), so it's worth testing for.
- Sulfate is common in wells in DeSoto County, FL (53 of 164 tested wells were over that level), so it's worth testing for.
- Manganese is not common in wells in DeSoto County, FL (1 of 27 tested wells were over). Only a test tells you about your own well.
- Wells in DeSoto County, FL are typically very hard (161 wells tested).
- Only a test of your own well tells you about your water.
What to test for
Start with the four this site covers:
- iron (common in wells here)
- sulfate (common in wells here)
- manganese
- hardness
Most well owners also test for these. We point to the source and don't interpret the results.
- arsenic: occurs naturally in groundwater in many regions. USGS: arsenic and drinking water
- nitrate: common near farmland and septic systems. EPA: private drinking water wells
- total coliform bacteria: the standard yearly well check. EPA: private drinking water wells
- lead and copper: from household plumbing, especially when pH is below 6.5. EPA: lead in drinking water
- PFAS: several states run private-well sampling programs. EPA: PFAS
- a certified lab: states certify labs and some run their own private-well programs. Florida's certified-lab list (from your state drinking-water program)
The numbers
County figures describe the wells sampled there, not any one well. Exact counts, sample years and sources are below.
Iron Recent
| Level it's compared with | 0.3 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Share of wells over the level | 26% |
| Wells over the level / wells judged | 7 of 27 |
| Median | 0.03 mg/L |
| Years sampled | 1950–2025 |
| Wells | 27 |
| Test results | 357 |
| Wells left out | 35 |
| Sources | USGS (70), 21FLGW_WQX (14), 21FLSWFD_WQX (13) |
Manganese Recent
| Level it's compared with | 0.05 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Share of wells over the level | 3.7% |
| Wells over the level / wells judged | 1 of 27 |
| Median | 0.001 mg/L |
| Years sampled | 1973–2025 |
| Wells | 27 |
| Test results | 296 |
| Wells left out | 34 |
| Sources | USGS (22), 21FLGW_WQX (14), 21FLSWFD_WQX (13) |
Hardness Recent
| Level it's compared with | none; hardness is shown in bands |
|---|---|
| Share of wells very hard | 91% |
| Median | 370 mg/L as CaCO₃ |
| Years sampled | 1950–2025 |
| Wells | 161 |
| Test results | 484 |
| Wells left out | 37 |
| Sources | USGS (133), 21FLGW_WQX (15), 21FLSWFD_WQX (13) |
Sulfate Recent
| Level it's compared with | 250 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Share of wells over the level | 32% |
| Wells over the level / wells judged | 53 of 164 |
| Median | 174.5 mg/L |
| Years sampled | 1950–2025 |
| Wells | 164 |
| Test results | 523 |
| Wells left out | 37 |
| Sources | USGS (136), 21FLGW_WQX (15), 21FLSWFD_WQX (13) |