Sharon's Blog

Well Water Test

If you are buying a home with a well, FHA lenders require a Chemical/Bacteria/Lead test of the well. This includes the Total Coliform, E. coli Bacterial test. The price for this varies from $125-$250 (in our experience) depending on whether you do it yourself or have a third party do it and send it to a lab and also whether it is a rush. Results from the lab will be about a week unless you pay an extra fee. Here are the regulations from HUD.

If you are doing a conventional loan, check with the lender, but in our experience they do not require water testing. It is the buyer's discretion as to whether they conduct one. The buyers we work with choose to do a test 100% of the time.

Some types of water testing in addition to the Total Coliform, E. coli Bacterial test:

1. Arsenic - arsenic is not listed on standard tests, but it is suggested by companies due to plastic in the environment that does not bio-degrade.

2. Sulfur - a sulfur smell isn't always sulfur. It can be iron bacteria. Aerators are expensive if they don't take care of the smell and they are not necessarily considered the best way to cure a sulfur smell. Iron bacteria is treated by chlorinating the pump and faucets in the house. Treatment is around $400 plus the individual faucets or spigots in the house, including the washing machine and ice maker. Equipment can also be purchased that will take care of the problem at the well.

3. Nitrate and Nitrite and total Nitrate/Nitrite.

4. Iron - If there is iron in the water, toilets, sinks, sidewalks, fences and other surfaces will stain. There is a solution for this. Ask your well consultant.

5. PH, Hardness, Alkalinity, Color, Clarity, Copper, Chlorine may also be tested to determine the quality of the water.

6. There are many other tests that can be done, depending on the buyer's preferences and water conditions in the area.

For the greater Jacksonville area, these are the most common tests conducted by buyers.

Well inspection

The building inspector will run the pump and test how the water is coming out of the sinks, but you may want to have a well and pump inspection as well.

Companies who specialize in digging wells can also do an inspection on the well and pump, paying attention to such details as whether insects are nesting around some of the parts.

Most wells in this area are intermediate wells, around 150'-250' and there is not much sulfur in wells at this depth. Deeper wells  of 250'-350' are where you may find sulfur, according to Ronnie Sapp of Ronnie Sapp Well Drilling & Septic Tanks of Macclenny FL.

A well and pump inspection, including a number of tests at no charge, is $95 from Sapp Well Drilling & Septic Tanks.

We recommend water and well testing for buyers of rural properties, along with the building, WDO and other inspections. We find that the money spent up front is a good investment and our buyers agree. It gives buyers peace of mind to know what their water quality is and that their equipment is functioning properly.