Homeowners: What is well and septic like?

[cstreit]

Guys,

For those of you who have (or had) homes in unincorporated area's without city systems:

What is your experience being on a well and septic systems?

- - - Is it acceptable provided you've made the infrastructure investment in water systems (RO filters, softeners) and take care of your septic on schedule?
- - - Can it be made livable?
- - - Are there things to avoid (septic fields vs. tanks)

Seems for the space we want, many homes are on unincorporated lands...

[Dantilla]

I am on a shared well, and our water tests better than the city. We use no extra filters or softeners.

A proper septic system will be trouble free for years.

I'd rather have deer wandering through my yard than gang members.

[Moses]

Septic is no problem if done right. Well water is largely undrinkable in California (MTBE, etc.) Even if tested, water quality can change rapidly. If you have a good, high-flow well I would have it checked. If it meets consumption standards, I would be comfortable plumbing it to the house for use showering, laundry, etc. I would still be inclined to use bottled water for cooking and drinking. JMO.

[RickM]

I can't speak on wells from personal experience but friends who have them typically have some type of filter/softner (usually salt based) system. Also, consider what happens if you lose power. A generator would be required to get you up and running again but consider start-up amperage requirements.

I have had septic before and experienced no problems. Different localities have different guidlines to build these under so confiuration may be limited. I would recommend clothes washer waste water go to a seperate system. Technology using plastic tanks seems good but I wonder about climate extremes affecting the materials. I now have city sewer and must pay a quarterly fee...forever.

[pwd72s]

Cindy & I have been on a well for nearly 30 years. The water's fine. The caveat is that water can vary from well to well. I suggest you ask neighbors of a property you're thinking of buying. Before we bought this place, I was concerned about the well being too shallow. I asked a high school classmate, a neighboring farmer whose family homesteaded the area. He replied that the well would never run dry, the water would be clean & sweet, and that if I drilled deeper the water would be worse.
He was right. Neighbors to the East of me had a well drilled deeper. Now they buy bottled water. Local knowledge is king when talking wells and septic systems. With septic systems, the soil type is a big factor, also the design itself.
Power outages can be problematic, but we usually have some "survival" water stored. During storms that may knock out power we fill lots of buckets for toilet flushing if the power goes. Outages here haven't lasted longer than a few days...if your water pressure tank has a bladder system and the lines have check valves, a submersible pump in the well, no problems with restarting when power is restored. Another modification I did to the system was install ball valves instead of gate valves on the shut-off points. Especially in rural areas, it's good to have flashlights, oil lamps, and a good battery powered radio ready for use. For heat? We have a woodstove and a cord or two of wood in the shed. Even without a generator, we survive okay when the power goes.

[jstgermaine]

Best part about well and septic...once it's in...NO CITY WATER BILL!!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

We have septic...a tank, leech field, and a seepage pit. Never had any problems. Just have the tank pumped out regularly and you'll be fine.

OTOH we have city water, and it's horrible even though we have a water softener. I'm not going to bother with RO...besides I don't think we have the room under the sink for an RO system. We drink bottled water only.

[RickM]

On the opposite end of the spectrum, and to consider PWDs advise completely, a neighboring town had the majority of their well users redrill (deeper or different location) as the result of a "drought" a few years back. I agree that talking to neighbors is crucial.

[Big Ed]

Septic: more costly in long run than city services, but not awful. Be careful not to put fats down the drain, as they ruin the system. Powdered laundry detergents are a bad, as well.

Well: water quantity and quality depends on location. There's fixes available for problems in both. Bottom line, don't shy away from a home because it doesn't have city services -- pick the home you want!

[pwd72s]

Yep, in my rambling post, one line is most important: LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IS KING! My best info was gleaned from my old classmate. I figured he ought to know, since his family lived in the area before Oregon gained statehood. Well drillers? Well, consider that they charge by the foot...

[jbryant]

Chris-

I install septic fields and they are perfectly ok to use. If you are buying an existing house, make sure they inspect the field before settlement. Like anything, they can be installed wrong and still function, but cost big bucks to fix down the road. Make sure they dig around the box and check the lines, not just do a walk over. Also, check the location (and make sure they have one) of the reserve area. When you know the type of system, PM me. Some creative systems can be costly to maintain.

Jim

[id10t]

Only problems I've had with well and septic:

1) PO lied about having the septic pumped a few months before we bought.

2) My well pump died after 20 years of faithful service. Replaced the actual pipe into the ground when it was replaced.

3) PO planted bamboo right over where the septic line leaves the house, and the builder didn't properly join all the piping, so occasionally (like when the daughter stuffs hundreds of babie wipies down the toilet) I have to snake it for a bit.

[juanbenae]

my pops is on both and had to have an extensive filtration system (well water) hooked up at the direction of the county after a neighbor remodled. he does his own testing and has gotten quite studied on the entire subject.

the septic tank has been problem free. its just him and my mom so waste water generation is minimal. our cabin septic has had problems when we have to many people at there generating too much waste water. the worst was when MY date through a bunch of kleenex (not allowed and she was informed) dripping with my DNA down the drain and clogged up the entire system. pops was pissed, cost big $, and nearly ruined the whole weekend. dam whore.

[greglepore]

Have both septic and well. My water is as good as most bottled stuff. Get a good high capacity "demand" type pump if you can, these are greatly superior to a simple pressure switch type. The pumps cost about the same, the controller is about 700 bucks or so more.

A well installed septic is key. If its functioning properly, it should almost never need to be pumped. Mine hasn't been in at least 6-7 years, with 5 people using it.

At the end of the day, the cost is a bit higher-you don't have water and sewer bills, but you have installation and maintainence. Well pumps are good for +/- 15 yrs, at a replacement cost of around 1500.

[cstreit]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I hadn't though about talking to the neighbors....

So:

1. Talk to neighbors
2. Find out how deep the well is:
3. Find out what kind of pump/system/tank there is.
4. COnsider a separate "grey water system" to be good...
5. Get the water and tank tested/inspected.

Keep the ideas coming, thanks!

[RickM]

And if the area is prone to power outages consider a back-up generator.

[djmcmath]

I've spent most of my life drinking well water (or spring water) and sending sewage out to non-city sewage disposal. There have been a few serious problems. If you live in a place that gets cold in winter, you might want to ensure that both incoming water lines and outgoing sewage lines are adequately protected against freezing. Frozen incoming water is less of an issue that frozen outgoing fluids. Also, if you dig a well, choose carefully -- redigging a well is not only time consuming (with no water supply while you're redigging, mind), it's also quite expensive. My most recent drainage field ran me $1600, and is industrial strength, given the tiny little house that's on it. All told, it's a great way to go.

Dan

[greglepore]

The generator idea is right on-we live only a half mile from a substation, so only once in 18 yrs have we had an "extended outage" but let me tell you, not being able to flush is a giant hassle. If the well pump isn't running, you have no pressure....

[rcm]

As far as the generator goes,we bought one 6500 watts. We have the master bed and bath, kitchen,well and heating system on it. We have a special box you flip breakers on when electricity goes down and start generator. Runs 10 hours on a full tank at full load. It's been a saver for sure. We are on a well and septic, all going good. Really never a hitch if all is installed correctly.

[911Rob]

Originally posted by cstreit
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I hadn't though about talking to the neighbors....

So:

1. Talk to neighbors
2. Find out how deep the well is:
3. Find out what kind of pump/system/tank there is.
4. COnsider a separate "grey water system" to be good...
5. Get the water and tank tested/inspected.

Keep the ideas coming, thanks!

You can add: Talk to the contractor who installs the water wells for the area too. They are usually professional, honest and can tell you the entire history of the area.

Otherwise, all good advise. I wouldn't hesitate and often these systems are better than City/District provided services. Be careful with the water though, nothing worst than living someplace and you don't like the taste/smell of the water.

Taste/smell the water too. Good luck, you'll love living away from the rat race. I do.