[Chicken Wing]

I've been looking at houses in a town (North Port) and it seems like most of the houses in my budget have well water and septic systems. I don't know a thing about either one of these. I grew up with city water and city sewer and have always liked that I could sort of depend on my "waste" going far away and my water being relatively safe.

What are the pros and cons to well water and septic systems?

Do they cost much with maintenance?

How does well water get filtered?

Do you ever run out of well water (drought or something)?

[RMD3819]

Pros:
-No monthly bill
-No worrying about rate increases
-Maintenance free

Cons:
-A single repair bill can easily equal several months of a city water bill. This past year I replaced both of my pressure tanks at a cost of $600 total. I've also gone years without a repair bill.
-You have to add salt and clean the tank regularly
-Eventually the septic tank or drainfield will need to be replaced. It could last twenty years or it could last less. That is a few thousand right there.
-I pump my septic every other year for about $300.

I've never run out but I have heard of it during a drought. It is uncommon if you have a decent well and water system. There are different quality wells and the people that drill them, as well as the hardware you attach to it. No place to be cheap.

The water is filtered by whatever you choose to buy. This will vary depending on what type of water you have and your budget. This is no place to be cheap. A sulfur well is superior to an iron well. See what the neighbors have. I have decent well water and a reverse osmosis (RO) system with an outlet on the kitchen sink. This is fairly common in my area. Whole-house RO systems are nice but very expensive.

....and no, you shouldn't worry. It's not bad at all.

[imagardener]

Drink the water and decide whether the taste is OK and the smell is OK. I've heard the sulfur smell can be bad and the lower the water table gets (in a drought) the more this is a problem. Also there can be salt water intrusion in some areas.

We decided not to buy a nice house in Nokomis because we weren't familiar with the whole reverse osmosis thing (RO) and DH didn't want another maintenance chore on his plate. Well water is good for your lawn/irrigation though and keeps water bill costs down that way.

[GloryB]

It depends on the area as to how complicated your water pumping system has to be. In many areas of Florida it's a simple thing requiring little to no maintenance. Then there are areas needing softening or a variety of other things. This too is something you get used to and don't think about it unless it is time to buy supplies.

Septic tanks are only an issue if the original tank is really old. Then you may want the sellers to get it pumped out before you sign papers.

I grew up in rural Florida. There has never been a time that the water table went down so low until water wasn't available.

Here is an excellent article you may want to read. It is written from a home inspectors point of view and what to look for:
Well and Septic Systems in Florida - Wells, Septic Tanks

[floridaorbust]

We have been seen some really nice homes for sale in Grant and Mims, but they all have well water. Both of us don't mind the septic issue, we have one now. But well water is a concern. the sulfer smell and the cost of upkeep. We wonder if some of these homes could have city water tapped into the house?

[SiestaBay]

Septic isn't as bad as well water. I would try and steer clear of well water.

[gypsychic]

The quality of well water gets worse the further south in Florida one goes. I had well and septic in Pasco county, the elevation there is high and the quality of water is excellent. One can drill really deep wells with no problem. The water table is much higher in south Florida, and the water smells like sulfur. There is always the danger of salt water intrusion during droughts. Personally, I would not want a well anywhere in south Florida. Septic is OK as long as it is maintained properly. If it is older, you may have to replace it, which I had to do once - for a small house cost me about $5,000.

I have city water and sewer now in Manatee County and I much prefer it.

Hope this helps.

[RMD3819]

If you have a constant sulfur smell then you likely have a problem with your system or well.

Very rarely do I smell sulfur coming out of the tap. I do smell it sometimes when I am out by the water system.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by floridaorbust

We have been seen some really nice homes for sale in Grant and Mims, but they all have well water. Both of us don't mind the septic issue, we have one now. But well water is a concern. the sulfer smell and the cost of upkeep. We wonder if some of these homes could have city water tapped into the house?

My guess is no. In my county whenever they expand a water or sewer plant the residents are required to hook up to it. There is a lot of kicking and screaming as the initial assessment can be very expensive. This is how they pay off the debt of the expansion.

[floridaorbust]

thats what we thought. We have seen some nice homes, but they have well water. Not that its so bad, we would rather have city water. thanks for the information. all of it helps.