Should I keep my well water or switch to city water?

UncannyMilDizzle

Pros and cons to well water? We just bought a house with a well that needs a $2,000 softener, and hooking up to city water would run about $10 k. I love the idea of ditchin the monthly city bill, but I’m uneasy about a well—I’ve never had one and don’t know how to maintain it. That uncertainty bothers me.

CricboMaxDoubuss

Pros: It’s essentially free you only pay for the electricity to run the pump. The system iis fairly easy to maintain, and if you have a tractor or crane you can pull the pump out yourself when it fails and replace it. You won’t depend on the municipal supply, so a city line break won’t leave you without water.

Cons: You may need to purchase replacement parts from time to time.

I’ve always used well water, and I find it tastes much better than city water.

KevTheRev

One thing I keep reminding myself of is the possibility of power outages… the pump simply won’t run on the well when there’s no power. That might not be a problem for you if you already have backup measures in place… and connecting to the city feels like a relief, because it means you won’t need a septic tank, which can become so expensive to fix.

oldtonecoop

We made sure to have our own well when we bought the house. All the towns around us just have pricey well water that still needs water softeners.

PodMjjPen

Got well water here, don’t want that junk city crap with fluoride no thanks. No water bill, so no bs to deal with.

MidnightVagabondX

I've got well water and no softener, my well is around 340ft deep

OptiStuart

Well water: no monthly water bill, less added chemicals (maybe).
City water: semi regulated and less to bother with.

WildcardLegend95

I’ve lived with both well water and city water, and I’ve experienced it with and without a softener whether it came from the city or a well. No matter which option you choose, I truly believe a softener is necessary. I can always taste the difference when a softener is missing, no matter the source. When it comes to water quality, I honestly hate drinking either well or city water.

But there are things to consider about a well: you never really know its quality, and it can depend on the depth or which aquifer you’re tapping into, if you even have choices. The big question is, if city water is available then, more than likely, you’re only allowed to maintain your existing well and not drill a new one if it completely fails. You should look into this, because it’s usually regulated by the state, and they won’t grant a new well permit if you’re within a certain distance of city water access.

turn10degreEfe

I’ve tried both and even did some testing for a class, and honestly, well water was the best. Just make sure your well gets inspected and tested regularly, and it should last a long time.

hammericy

Pro: No water bill each month awesome, and you might get fewer added chemicals from the treatment facility!
Cons: But watch out for possible heavy metals and parasites.

Takeaway: Filter your water from any source and it’ll be way better!

HuskyMonkeyLife

Get the water tested and if it's good, definitely stick with the well water.

DVTPlatinum

I’ve come to realize it’s important too have your well water tested by a certified lab, so you can know exactly what kind of filtration you need. I’ve learned that you should let the water run for a couple of minutes, then draw the sample from the spigot near the pressure tank if possible rather than from the kitchen sink. I also think it’s wise to have the well flow tested to see how much water it actually produces.

CapJadeFox

Get city water now there are?many reasons. Wells damage hot water tanks and appliances. Even a softener can’t stop them from corroding tanks and copper pipes. Softener systems require yearly flushing and maintenance. Well pumps cost a lot to repair, depending on your area. Most towns and cities own the pipework from the meter to the tap. If a problem arises, the municipality will often fix it at reduced cost or for free. Water bills are very cheap. Most buyers avoid homes with well water; it can turn them away. Fluoride benefits health, and city water is treated to eliminate serious bacteria and other hazards. Pay for city water today and thank yourself for years to come.

KepsFrakNikolai

Pros free, tastes way better

Con’s hard water is a bitch

IronWalShot12

Just head to Lowe’s or Home Depot and grab a water softener. You already have connections. Don’t let Culligan or any of those companies sell you some BS.

HDTetrisMuddy

Had a well… went to public water… damn a well!

If you’re going to keep the well, get it tested and slap a UV light on it to kill the bacteria.

roosterbeefroast

A new water softener like 400 bucks an takes 30 mins to install

curzioalter

I’m grateful to have a well so I never have to pay for water but I feel the sting when the power goes out, because then the water disappears.

troyninja42

If your well were, perhaps, like mine, you might end up spending on filters about the same as you would on water each month.

ThunderBolt

As long as the water tests good, a well is an asset over municipal water for me. In my area water rates are skyrocketing what do you think?