Which is good: Well water or public water (Chester: buying a house, buying)

[nrana]

If you are buying a house, which is considered good: well water or public water? why? Any advantages and disadvantages for both.

Thanks

[MoorestownResident]

Well water is free, but it is can be costly and a pain to to maintain over time. Public Water is not free and becoming very expensive but you won't have maintenance concerns. And since most homeowners would prefer muncipal water service, well water might detract from resale.

[nic529]

I think it depends where you are -

I live in Chesterfield - I have both - Both taste good

A friend of mine lives in Jackson - has well - I won't go near it - it looks funny - smells funny - ewwwwwwwwwwww

Same in Howell - public water is better there

[hc7612]

We have a well here in Pa. For some, drinking straight well water is ok. We however have a whole house filtration system with a UV sterilizer and a water softener. Our water is absolutely safe and I actually prefer the idea of drinking it to public water that has been treated. You do not have water bills, however, we pay sewer charge to the township. That bill depends on our amount of water usage. We average about $50 every 3 months. I guess that varies by township and New Jersey may be different.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Well water is free, but it is can be costly and a pain to to maintain over time. Public Water is not free and becoming very expensive but you won't have maintenance concerns. And since most homeowners would prefer muncipal water service, well water might detract from resale.

This is really going to depend on the township and who services it. My water is less than $10/mo - my old house (a few miles away) was probably 4xs that.

also, my understanding with well is that if you lose electricity, you lose water.

[MoorestownResident]

That's a good point because the pump won't work.

[wileynj]

Well water and if you want to know why, take a tour of your local sewage treatment plant and have them explain to you the process..it will turn your stomach! In most cases, what goes down, comes back out of your tap! Or some places use well water to supply city / public water to the homes and charge you for it...why do that when you can have your own, private well?This topic has been on my mind today as I have two neices who are having health issues and it may be a result of drinking contaminated city / public water!

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by tahiti

This is really going to depend on the township and who services it. My water is less than $10/mo - my old house (a few miles away) was probably 4xs that.

also, my understanding with well is that if you lose electricity, you lose water.

That's why I have a whole house generator...no issues here : ))

[nic529]

If you lose electricity you won't lose water unless it needs to pump. It doesn't always need to pump. That only happens a few times a day. Plus - if you live in hickville you probably have a generator because of situations like that. I don't really need to worry about that right now - I've only lost electric 1x in the last 7 years for more then 5 mins.

Now.....I need to go find some wood to knock on!

[MoorestownResident]

Always filter water no matter what the source is.