Well/septic vs. Public Utilities (house, purchase, maintenance) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

M2009 · 02-20-2009, 07:32 AM

Most of the areas I'm looking for a home with one acre lots have well/septic and either natural gas or propane. I understand the septic requires maint. to function properly. As far as the gas, are there any advantages to having propane over the nat gas? I now have public services so any info on what to expect would be appreciated.

Thank you

JG183 · 02-20-2009, 08:36 AM

there is NO advantage to having propane over nat. gas

Calico696 · 02-20-2009, 11:39 AM

I would say natural gas is better. As far as propane goes, the company who owns/installs the tank forces you to purchase your propane from them. Therefore, you cannot shop around. In order to change your propane supplier, you need to have the tank dug up and a new one installed by the new supplier of your choice. Pain in the butt.

Sergio M · 02-20-2009, 03:19 PM

Propane is slightly higher in price over natural gas. If the tank is above ground, it is usually unsightly. Also, I prefer my septic and well over public...Water and sewer charges are astronomical.

kalim2008 · 02-20-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio M

Propane is slightly higher in price over natural gas. If the tank is above ground, it is usually unsightly. Also, I prefer my septic and well over public...Water and sewer charges are astronomical.

So what are the disadvantages of well and septic?

wileynj · 02-20-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalim2008

So what are the disadvantages of well and septic?

septic requires maintenance..minimal maintenance - pump out tank every 3 yrs ($200.00), make sure you use septic friendly products (TP, Chemicals),
Well - uses electric but not much - still cheaper than city water. May require a treatment system depending on the quality of the water - hard, soft, iron, etc. The treatment system can be costly plus they require maintenance.
I had well water and never had an issue with it but I must say, now that I have city water..the water pressure is unbelievable compared to well water.

emanon · 02-20-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wileynj

I had well water and never had an issue with it but I must say, now that I have city water..the water pressure is unbelievable compared to well water.

I suffered with low water pressure for more years than I can remember.
Last year I had the pump,water lines and tank replaced and I am amazed at the water pressure we now have.

I was watching as they removed the old pump and I can hardly believe we drank water from that system,yuck.

Perhaps your well needed some attention.

E

Sergio M · 02-20-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emanon

I suffered with low water pressure for more years than I can remember.
Last year I had the pump,water lines and tank replaced and I am amazed at the water pressure we now have.

I was watching as they removed the old pump and I can hardly believe we drank water from that system,yuck.

Perhaps your well needed some attention.

E

Good point. You can use the water for washing, and use spring water for drinking and cooking. It's still way cheaper than city water and sewer.

JG183 · 02-20-2009, 07:41 PM

it amazes me that in this day & age, anyone would prefer well / septic
over city sewer / city water...

Stone28 · 02-20-2009, 07:41 PM

Another disadvantage of of having well water is if you have a power outage the pumps will not work (unless you have a back up generator). No water = no toilet. Something else to take into consideration would be that wells need to "backwash" and you cant use the water while backwashing. We have ours set to go off early in the morning before we get up and it can be noisey if you live in a ranch type house above the system.