What are the advantages of being on city water? (Felton: sales, mortgage)

[Caladium]

In another thread, beachliz touched on how some homes in Bethany/Oceanview are on a city water system and others are not. This is new to me, so I'd like to know all about it (even the most basic stuff).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both systems?

[pvs]

I am curious, too. When I brought this up with a RE broker, he said that he thought it was a non-issue, and that the H2O in Delaware, even from wells, was pretty acceptable. He claimed his own house uses a well, and he does not even use a home filtration system. He also said that there are no guarantees, even with city water systems.

In my youthful days on Long Island, when my family moved from Queens (city water) to Suffolk (well water), I used to hate the taste of the well water. But once I got used to it, I couldn't stand visiting relatives in Queens, because now THAT water tasted like chlorox.

Regardless, I don't believe I have gotten any long-term illnesses from either. I DO know that when the home in Suffolk was converted to a city water supply years later, the water tasted about the same as from the well. However Queens water always tasted like chlorine.

And yes, I DO know that one needs to go by more than just "taste".

So I too would like to hear a bunch of pros/cons on this subject.

[DelawareLiz]

My home's lot has a lot of clay in it and we were told that's why our well water is not as good as some of our neighbors'. Lots of iron and nitrates too (not good). We bought a $2000 filtration system which helps, but nitrates are still high and the iron clogs it up. My husband has to maintain it. The salt in the water conditioner and the residual iron does not agree with my hair, but I'm blonde and that's most likely why. Blonde hair is finicky.

Some of my neighbors have perfect well water, but they paid a premium for their lots too. I guess that's why my husband got a bargain on this lot--it requires filtration, and lots of it. My next home will only have city water, and I don't mind paying for it.

City water rarely will stain your clothes or hair, whereas well water can. City water also typically does not have high nitrates or phosphates, both of which are health hazards. Of course, well water is free but bad well water can ruin plumbing and appliances, costing lots of $$ in the long run...not to mention the cost of pumps that can go up on wells (very expensive) and even wells that run dry.

Now, my parents have well water in Virginia and never have any problems--no contaminants and no filtration system. I guess it all depends on where you live....

[pvs]

Thanks beachliz. In particular, the home we were looking at when the topic came up was in a beautiful area in Felton. The RE Broker explained that wells COULD give bad water (but so could city-supplies). Along with high recommendations to have a home inspector/engineer as part of the sales deal, to check the water quality before signing any contracts, he explained that, as a quick check, we could look inside the toilet tanks, and see how much corrosion/discoloration exists. If it looks clean, then chances are a home inspection will also show it as clean.

Seems to make sense, no?

[Gone-2-Beach]

For about $14, you can also get a do-it-yourself First Alert Home Environment Drinking Water Test Kit, It's a ten minute test that uses the EPA standards for acceptable levels of lead, bacteria, iron, nitrates/nitrites, chlorine, pesticides, & ph. The kit includes all the test materials and there is no laboratory testing necessary. Amazon and Target are two of many places where you can get one of these kits.

[rdlr]

Regarding Well Water - If you're obtaining a mortgage, the mortgage company will always require a satisfactory water test on wells. As said, no bacteria is one, others are ph factors etc. So the loan is subject to the well water meeting DPH specific standards.

Radon Tests are also required.

I've heard of buyers who when having their first look at a property, immediately ask for a drink of water. If it doesn't taste right to them, they move on.