The Department of Environmental Protection has the primary role of regulating public water systems in Florida. Authority derives from Chapter 403, Part IV, Florida Statutes, and by delegation of the federal program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The department has promulgated a number of rules in the Florida Administrative Code.

A public water system is one that provides water to 25 or more people for at least 60 days each year or serves 15 or more service connections. These public water systems may be publicly or privately owned and operated.

Very small water systems that provide water for public consumption, but which do not fall under the above definition, are regulated by the Department of Health and the county health departments. Bottled water and water vending machines are regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety . Digging of water wells, both public and private, and the quantities of water that may be extracted, are regulated by the water management districts.

Program Organization

Contact Us

Source and Drinking Water Program

2600 Blair Stone Road

MS 3520

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Call: 850-245-8624 / Fax: 850-245-8669