Well-Water Homes: What to Investigate

A house that relies on well water can be a turnoff to some buyers. But before buyers shun these homes completely, here are some things that real estate professionals can help them investigate:

• Is it drinkable? Most mortgage lenders require a water potability test before closing a loan on a property. Beyond that, the buyer should consider a professional inspection and possibly more testing for potential contaminates.

• Do some official research. It's a good idea to look at the "well log" or "drilling report" from the county health department or environmental services office. These logs include information like construction date, contractor's name, drilling method and materials used, depth of the well, geological formations encountered, gallons per minute drawn, and distances from structures or septic fields when the well was built. These logs will also include any servicing or repair work done.

• Visual inspection. Inspect the well visually. Ideally, the well should be higher than surrounding ground. Look for pooled surface water around the well, which can indicate drainage problems.

• Look around. Are there potential sources of contamination — barnyards, septic systems, or ponds uphill from the well? Nearby underground gas tanks also can be a problem.

Source: Realtor® Online