Buying a home in Nashua (cost, legal, train)

[Negotiator75]

I am interested in knowing how cheap can a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 story house would cost in Nashua, NH in a good area?

Has much changed in Nashua in the last 10 years?

[CometVoyager]

Still a great town, as most of the areas are fine. If you buy an acre or more, just make sure you do your own perc (percolation) testing, as you want to see if your soil will drain well enough for your Septic System. Also it is good to have your Septic down hill from your well.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

I am interested in knowing how cheap can a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 story house would cost in Nashua, NH in a good area?

Has much changed in Nashua in the last 10 years?

Well, I've only visited Nashua a few times but I think there will be a sparse choice of 1 story, 4 bed homes. It's a typical NE town with fairly small lots and land efficient 2 and 3 story homes. You'll find more ranch/contemporary style homes out of town.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by CometVoyager

Still a great town, as most of the areas are fine. If you buy an acre or more, just make sure you do your own perc (percolation) testing, as you want to see if your soil will drain well enough for your Septic System. Also it is good to have your Septic down hill from your well.

Depends on well depth and soil/rock types. My well is at 300ft. I could put a septic practically right on top of it with no fear of contamination getting down there.

[Valerie C]

As noted, a 4-br 1 story home isn't the norm in the Nashua area, but it can be done. Did you want to stay in the city-limits of Nashua, or would you be open to one of the surrounding towns? I hate to toss a number out there without doing a search, but I'm guessing in the 300K-375K range...

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by rmcewan

Depends on well depth and soil/rock types. My well is at 300ft. I could put a septic practically right on top of it with no fear of contamination getting down there.

Point well taken rmcewam, however, Coliform Bacteria and mutant bacteriological variations as well as other contaminants like nitrates from your leech field, septic tank and distribution box will most certainly find its way into your well during warmer months of the year if your well casing is situated down or level to your septic system / leech field even if your well has a 300 + well depth.

In the industry some call them Collie Trains, as once a route is carved out by these contaminants you will find each year especially during warmer months your well water may have significant and unacceptable levels of this type of contamination.

Suggest you test your well water no less than every week if you have placed your septic system / leech fields near your well casing. County health departments will usually do the testing for free or a minimum charge.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by CometVoyager

Point well taken rmcewam, however, Coliform Bacteria and mutant bacteriological variations as well as other contaminants like nitrates from your leech field, septic tank and distribution box will most certainly find its way into your well during warmer months of the year if your well casing is situated down or level to your septic system / leech field even if your well has a 300 + well depth.

In the industry some call them Collie Trains, as once a route is carved out by these contaminants you will find each year especially during warmer months your well water may have significant and unacceptable levels of this type of contamination.

Suggest you test your well water no less than every week if you have placed your septic system / leech fields near your well casing. County health departments will usually do the testing for free or a minimum charge.

Don't be daft. "Practically right on top" is an exaggeration. The well head is upslope and more than 75ft from our septic. Thing is, if someone built on the land uphill from us (they can't now it got a conservation easement), then their septic would be significantly higher than our well and within 100yrds. I worried about this at first, but now understand the filtering capabilities of a few yards of sand, soil and granite- let alone several hundred. As you say, you should worry about contaminated surface water seeping down the well pipe/casing; but that's why you have water tested annually and a whole-house filter. At any rate, the county has to approve placement of septics and considers well location - right?

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by rmcewan

Don't be daft. At any rate, the county has to approve placement of septics and considers well location - right?

Having worked extensively for 30 plus years with many county health depts., I still would suggest you test your water frequently if your septic system or neighbors is within 300 feet upslope of your well casing, as Collie Train Tunnels are as resilient as geranium roots and most active during the warmer months. Also a good drinking water purification filtration system is recommended if you are in that predicament.

Further, I am not certain but I can not recall or believe the public has any legal recourse with regards to county health department errors.

[buck naked]

[SIZE=-1]The State requires 75 feet between any component of a septic system and a well.[/SIZE]

[jthibodeau]

That's right, Buck. Towns can require more than state regulations. Some towns require upwards of 100 feet with a few towns go as high as 125 between well and septic system.