If you are in the market for a new home, then the chances are you might come across a listing with a private well. This is especially common in central Florida. Whether you planned to purchase a home with a private well, or you are considering it because the home is perfect for you and your family, there are some additional steps you should take concerning the well before you settle on buying a home.
Test the Water
If you are buying a home with a well, then the water needs pass health and safety standards. In fact, work that contingency into the contract. Furthermore, any water test on the well should not just focus on the quality of water but also quantity. Make sure that the well pumps an adequate amount of water for you and your family’s needs. Do not assume that this inspection will take place as part of the general home inspection. Most home inspectors do not know what to test for in the well.
Know the Regulations
Depending on where the property is located, there might be different regulations. The well requirements of one city or county might differ slightly from another city or county. This has to do with the geological location of the well. You must also consider the amount of water available in that part of the aquifer. In some cases, the regulations might also tell you who is responsible for getting the water tests and repairs to the well before any sale is allowed.
Test the Well
It is not just sufficient to get the well water tested. It is also important to test the structure and equipment of the well. This will let you know if the well was properly maintained. It also lets you know if any defects need to be addressed before the sale of the house. Additionally, any problems that are discovered during the well testing stage can be used as part of the contingency in the contract.
What to do if the Water or Well Fail the Tests?
If the water quality fails to meet the health standards or the well structure has been compromised, then that can be grounds to void the contract. If, for whatever reason you still want to move forward with the purchase of the house, then you will want to have the well defects repaired before closing or in extreme cases when the well cannot be repaired, have the old well decommissioned and a new one drilled.
