The Florida Department of Health regulates public water systems that are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Water systems under the jurisdiction include:

  • Limited Use Community Water System – a water system that serves two or more rental residences or five or more non-rental residences, with no more than fourteen service connections or twenty-four persons residing in the residences.
  • Limited Use Commercial Water System – a water system that serves a small commercial business such as a church, retail shop, office or other small business.
  • Multifamily Water System – a water system that provides piped water to three or four residences, one of which may be a rental residence.

Environmental public health inspectors conduct annual inspections of permitted limited use wells and monitor wells for compliance with required sampling for bacteriological and chemical contamination. Inspectors also conduct complaint inspections in response to citizen complaints.

The construction of a drinking water supply well is regulated by Rule 62-532, Florida Administrative Code, and is implemented by Northwest Florida Water Management District, which issues well construction permits and regulates the construction of wells in Okaloosa County. 

Limited Use Wells

Limited use wells that are regulated by the Florida Department of Health must apply for a permit before construction of the well. Items required to permit a Limited Use Well in Okaloosa County:

Additional Resources