Buying a Home with a WellIf you are thinking about buying a home with well water, it is important to know what to look for when you view the property and how to avoid future problems. Here are a few tips to help you figure out if owning a home with a well is right for you.

  • Well water needs to be tested once a year. E. coli, coliform bacteria, radon, arsenic, nitrates, iron and manganese are the bare minimum of what should be tested for in a well.
  • While you have no monthly water bill with a well, you will have to replace the well pump, pressure tank, and filters over time.
  • The well should meet the minimum distance standard from any contamination sources (like a septic tank). This varies, but is usually a minimum of 50 to 100 feet.
  • There are two types of wells- drilled and bored. Drilled wells go at least 40 feet deep while bored wells are shallow, and therefore more likely to be contaminated.
  • Wells last for decades. Keep in mind though, you will eventually have to drill a new one, as well as replace any parts before then.
  • Proper well location is key. The well should be located in a spot so that rainwater flows away from it. Because rainwater contains harmful contaminants, it can seep into your well if it is too close.
  • Having well water oftentimes means having hard water. The minerals in the hard water break down and corrode the pipes easily. If the pipes contain lead, lead can leach into the water.
  • Most wells have a low pH, which means the water is more acidic. This results in corroded and leaky pipes if the filters used for the well aren’t the right size or type for the amount of water used.
  • Well water is filtered very differently than city water. Municipal water is treated with chlorine and other chemicals, creating harmful byproducts. Well water is sourced only from groundwater. While it still needs to be treated, it doesn’t have any of the additives city water contains.

Weighing the pros and cons of owning a well vs. using public water supply is an important decision every home owner needs to make. Purifying your water, should be an easy decision, no matter where your water is coming from.