Do You Have To Pay For Well Water?

While you will not have to pay a recurring monthly bill for a private well on your property, there are several other costs associated with well water. No, you do not have to pay a utility company for the volume of water used, but other expenses like installation, maintenance, and electricity come along with well ownership.

What Is Well Water?

The majority of well water comes courtesy of underground reservoirs called aquifers, which are natural storage tanks. These tanks contain groundwater that originated from precipitation that seeped through the ground as part of the water cycle. Wells ultimately provide access to the aquifer, drawing directly from this water source.

Typically, almost all well water comes from groundwater, as stated above. Groundwater is a collection of precipitation and surface water that seeps through both rock and soil to get to the underground aquifer.

It is quite possible for several wells to share a single aquifer. This happens because of precipitation variations throughout the seasons and over pumping, which can cause aquifers to dry out.

What Costs Are Associated With Well Water?

Well water is not completely free, as outline above. While there will be no monthly utility or per-gallon fee for the water use, there are several other cost factors to consider when investing in well water.

Let’s take a look at the various ongoing costs of owning a well below.

Installation

The installation of a private well typically costs anywhere between $5,300-$16,000. Depending on depth and location, drilling and installation could cost in excess of $40,000, in rare cases.

Testing & Treatment

Most people will treat well water to remove germs or chemicals, take extra precautions against potential diseases, and ultimately improve the taste of water. Here are a few ways below to test your well water to ensure it’s safe to drink.

• Home Water Treatment Systems: It’s worth considering investing in a home water treatment system in order to remove germs or chemicals from your well water. These systems typically treat the water by filtering it, disinfecting it, or distilling it. No single treatment type can protect against each and every issue. When investing in a home water treatment system, make sure to check that the system will be able to remove either the type of germ or chemical you are concerned about.
• Emergency Situations: Whenever the well water is contaminated, you must treat it, then test it again before drinking. In the event that you have no access to other water sources, always boil the well water prior to drinking it. Boiling water can kill germs. Always follow boil water advisory guidelines to reduce your chance of becoming ill from consumption. If your water is contaminated with chemicals, never drink or use the water for any purpose. Drinking or even having any contact with contaminated water can be very dangerous. Boiling the water will not remove chemicals.

Electricity

The electricity used to ultimately run the electric well pump is another expense.

Maintenance

Maintenance and repairs are solely on the shoulders of the homeowners. This can include replacing the pressure tank, well pump, or other components.

Municipal Fees

While rare, municipal fees must be factored into your water budget, if applicable. For example, if your property is still cross-connected or tied into a local municipal line for fire protection or backup, you may have to pay a nominal availability fee.

Well Water Vs City Water Cost Differences

If you pay a monthly water bill, then you are drinking city water. Your city will collect water from a local source, purify and filter it. Ultimately, the water is delivered to your home via a pipeline system.

In the U.S. today, city water is the most common type of water. More than 280 million Americans rely on city water coming to their homes, according to the CDC.

There are several differences that have been outlined above between city and well water. For example, well water will come with a significant initial investment. However, the consumption of city water means you’ll pay for it monthly.

City water is not as fresh as well water and contamination can occur due to natural disasters. Well water requires the use of electricity. Homeowners will also be responsible for monitoring and controlling the quality of the water. If you have any questions regarding well water, contact the team at Sunbelt Drilling today!