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

UncannyMilDizzle · 2026-03-27T08:00:08+00:00

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.

relevantdimming

If you go with a well, just remember that when the power goes out, your pump stops unless you have backup power. The only time we ever had a problem was due to a direct lightning strike.

LucasCelBerns

I use a well and haven’t paid a water bill in nine years. I have easily saved more than $2,000. My water is delicious.

MonSlingBritOzzy

Get your water tested independently before you do either.

PreflightBlithe

I grew up on well water. Get the water tested. Keep the well, and place $10 k in a reserve fund. Save what you would have paid for city water. If the well fails, compare its cost to city rates. When you sell, use those savings as a closing allowance. The well keeps you financially ahead.

skeletonforge

My grandpa uses three filters at his house and pays nothing for water except for the electricity that runs the pump, refrigerator, and other equipment. He drilled about 20 holes before they finally found a spot because the worker said on the last hole, “Let’s see what happens if I go down another 20 feet or so.” Then the water tasted better, and my skin doesn’t dry out from the water like city water does.

RealGobBrew

I run my well all day. Last week the city limited water use because of nitrate levels, so I ran my garden sprinkler all day. Boil orders are common with city water, but I never have to boil mine. I’m not a plumber, yet I installed two water softeners myself much cheaper than $2,000.

I had a transfer switch installed years ago for power outages. When the power goes out, I’m back up in about five minutes; the well, lights, appliances, and internet keep working. A transfer switch is essential.

raywerdlesquid2000

I’m thrilled to say I have well water! Sure, it smells a bit off, but it’s still clean and great. Be sure to dig a deep well otherwise you could easily run it dry. And if the pump ever quits, no worries it’s just a few hundred bucks and a super‑simple swap!

KrisSublime

Stay on a well if you can.

Better water and much cheaper in the long run.

TimmyJasonLondi

Existing wells use it. Unless your well water is from West Texas, it should be an easy call.

JinghyPuffCampus

We’ve had a well for 11 years. 🙌 And a good one. In some of the driest summers we can run the garden hose for hours and not run out of water. 💧 All we have is a softener. Don’t be afraid, my man. 😎

framptonarmadillo

I used to pay for water, but now I don’t. It’s better, I think. If you do the math and can afford it, it pays for itself.

kdogtinyfunzane

Well water is way better! I’ve even had to slap well filters onto city water in some cases. Sure, city water is filtered, but all too often before it reaches you it runs through busted, corroded lines. And don’t even get me started on the backflow from construction on brand‑new pipes!

exceedrusty

Just pay for the water line hookup your property value will go up, and you won’t have to worry about maintaining the system. In the long run, it’s a win.

franktridbox

Wells are effective when they are in good condition. Have your water tested by a laboratory each year. Most counties operate a lab that can test your water for little or no cost. If such a service is unavailable, a typical laboratory water test will cost between $50 and $100. If you have high hardness or iron, it is advisable not to skimp on a softener. Feel free to reach out; 12 years and counting in water treatment.

futurefrydeem

I used to drill water wells. Do the work on the well and get it up to snuff. The first thing you should do is test the water and go from there. It might cost a bit now, but you’ll save a ton of money in the long run.

BeyondBenfica

My grandpa's been running his well for over 30 years, and it’s never given us any trouble we’d just dry‑ice‑bomb it, but we haven’t had to do that in about 15 years!

wickeybobcat

Personally, I'd go for the well water no monthly bill, which is great but I'd really recommend setting aside a little maintenance/repair fund if you stick with it. Of course, it depends on how deep your current well is and the water‑table contamination in your area. Since you need a softener, I'm guessing those factors aren't ideal. I used to live in northwestern WI in a super sandy spot. If I recall right, we had a 130‑ft well, no filter or softener, and the water from that taap was the best I’ve ever had. Let it run for five minutes and it comes out at a perfect 40°F no ice needed. That’s probably what I miss most about living out in the middle of nowhere.

dmorzgamengine

Well, that really sucks. I'm in my first house with a well, and I doubt I'll ever buy another house with one. If you skip maintenance, it’ll turn your home into an unwanted water park.

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