In much of Connecticut, including towns like Wilton, Ridgefield, Weston, Easton, Redding and Newtown, homes get their water from a private well instead of a town or water company. If you're coming from an apartment or a city, it may be new to you, but it's completely normal here. Most well owners love their water, and there's no water bill.
Here's how a well works, what your inspector will check and what to do before you buy.
How a well system works
A well system has three main parts:
- The well: A hole drilled deep into the ground, commonly a few hundred feet, down to where groundwater flows through the rock. It's lined with a steel casing near the top and capped at the surface, usually somewhere in the yard.
- The pump: A submersible pump sits down inside the well and pushes water up through a pipe into the house.
- The pressure tank: Usually in the basement, this tank stores a supply of water under pressure. When you turn on a faucet, water comes from the tank first, and the pump kicks on to refill it as the pressure drops. That keeps the pump from running every time someone washes their hands.
Many homes also have a water treatment system, such as a softener or filter, installed near the pressure tank.
What your inspector checks
The flow. During the inspection, the inspector will run the water for an extended period, often called a flow test. It shows how strong the flow is and confirms that the water keeps coming long enough to handle normal household use, like showers, laundry and dishes running at the same time.
The equipment. The inspector will look at the pressure tank, the pressure switch and gauge, the visible plumbing and any treatment equipment for leaks, wear and proper operation, and will note the well cap's condition and location.
The water. For homes with wells, it's a good idea to test the water before you buy. Connecticut's Department of Public Health recommends that well owners test regularly for basic indicators, including bacteria, and test at least once for things like arsenic, uranium, radon, lead and volatile organic compounds. Your home inspector can usually collect the samples and send them to a certified lab.
Common solutions
If the water test turns up something, it's almost always fixable:
- Hard water: Water with a lot of minerals can leave buildup on fixtures and appliances. A water softener system removes those minerals.
- Bacteria: An ultraviolet (UV) light system treats water as it flows past a UV lamp, killing bacteria and other microorganisms without adding chemicals.
- Arsenic, uranium and other contaminants: These are typically treated with a filtration system, such as a reverse osmosis filter under the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water, or a whole-house system depending on the results.
If you do have a softener and the home has a septic system, ask where the softener drains. Many septic professionals recommend that it not drain into the septic system. (More on that in the septic guide.)
What to do before you buy
- Order a water test as part of your inspection, covering the recommended tests above.
- Make sure the flow is checked during the inspection.
- Ask the sellers for records, including past water tests and service records for the pump and any treatment system.
- Factor any results into your negotiation. If treatment is needed, your agent can help you decide whether to ask for a repair or a credit.
- Plan for maintenance. Treatment systems need periodic service, such as filter changes, UV lamp replacements and softener salt.
Final thought
A private well is a normal part of owning a home in much of Connecticut. Know how it works, test the water and check the flow, and you can buy with confidence.
Looking at homes with private wells and have questions? Request a buyer consultation. I'm always happy to help.