Doylestown - septic system and wells (Richboro, Newtown: apartment, house, neighborhoods)

[soulwindows]

I have found several homes I like in Doylestown, but they have septic systems and wells. I am from NJ, and only know public sewer and water. Should I steer away from these homes? Or are they just more maintainence? Of course I would have both inspected.

I would love to hear from someone that has these systems.

[ooodsie]

As long as you maintain them properly, they're fine... It's very common in Doylestown actually - everything that's 20+ years old is going to have septic/well, only the newer neighborhoods have public water/sewer. I would definitely do a home inspection and include inspections on the well/septic (it's not always included so make sure to specify that to your inspector too!)

[BarryK123]

I lived in a house in Newtown for 20 years that has a septic system and well. Replaced the well pump after 18 years, after a nearby lightning strike blew it out. The septic required pumping every 2 years and replacing of a gasket after almost 20. No bills from the local sewer authority or water company.

Only issue with a well is when the power goes out, so does the water. Unless you have a backup generator, keep some bottled water in the pantry.

[PA2UK]

Septic systems do take more maintainence (which also costs more, hence the stereotype that weathly people have septic systems). But I would advise against a house with a well. Friends of the family have one in Richboro and everytime the power goes out, they can't even flush their toilet! Bottled water won't exactly cut it if you can't shower or flush your toilet for days.

That said, I can't speak for Doylestown but in many areas of Bucks, it's not unusual for the power to go out. Usually not for long but during flooding, it can be effected for more than a day. I remember the summer flood of 2006 - power was out for days in many areas but I'm not sure about Doylestown. Our friends with the well got buckets of water from neighbors who don't have wells to flush their toilet but I know from experience what a hassle it is (problems with the water pipes in our apartment building one time - water was off for days).