TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT A PROGRAM TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OR USE PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS OF THE AVAILABLE TESTING PROGRAMS AND NEED FOR TESTING OF WELL WATER USED FOR DRINKING WATER

BODY
WHEREAS, there are numerous Miami-Dade County residents who obtain their drinking water from private drinking water wells; and
WHEREAS, on occasion private drinking water wells can become contaminated due to various sources of contamination throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, the systematic testing of private drinking water wells is important for the health and safety of the affected citizens; and
WHEREAS, private well water quality is not monitored by the State of Florida or Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest and in the common good that the residents of Miami-Dade County who obtain their drinking water from private water wells should be informed of the need to regularly test the water quality of their wells; and
WHEREAS, a number of private labs offer well water screening for a testing fee; and
WHEREAS, no program currently exists that is designed to inform the private well owners of the need to regularly test their water quality for contaminants,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board of County Commissioners hereby directs the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee to design and implement in cooperation with the County Health Department a program to inform and educate the residents of Miami-Dade County who obtain their drinking water from private water wells of the need to regularly test their water quality. This educational program should, at a minimum, provide information about the availability of licensed testing facilities, information about the types of contaminants to test for, the frequency of testing recommended, and contact information for the Department of Health if contamination is found.