Well water pros No water bill: You can use as much water as you'd like and never have to worry about a bill when using a private well. The only reason you'd pay is if you're using city water for wastewater (such as showering, flushing the toilet, etc…), although you can install a septic tank to avoid these costs.
No water bills: With a well, you're not dependent on the municipal water supply, so you don't have to pay for water usage.
Now, that doesn't mean the well is an infinite source of water, as they do have a maximum make-up rate, so you could leave a hose running full blast and possibly run out of water after a period of time.
Well water is free since it comes from your own property. You'll need to pay for the electricity that runs the well pump, but costs are typically minimal. You can also use solar power, which can come in handy during a power outage, to keep your well running.
If the water you use comes from a well and pump, then your electric bill is dramatically impacted by how much water you utilize! Look on your pump controller and find out how many horsepower (HP) your pump is. At current electrical rate schedules each horsepower costs between $0.10 and $. 20 per hour to run.
This groundwater is the well water's supply, and it's brought up to homes using a pump or bucket. Well water is owned and maintained by the homeowner; which means it is free to use, but not tested or treated by the government.
The Bottom Line
Don't let a home with well water be a downside to you buying a property. With proper attention, maintenance and inspection, well water can be cheaper and cleaner than city water.
Save Money
A water well installation may cost money upfront, but it's usually a more economical option than paying water bills every month. After a water well drilling service finishes adding a well to your property, you'll never need to pay for water again.
Starter borehole pumps can run for up to 24 hours. However, your everyday borehole pump will run between 6 & 8 hours. It is not good for your borehole pump to run continuously.
Artesian wells do not provide unlimited water and can still run dry, however they can last for several decades. Although the water from an artesian well has natural filtration, it doesn't mean it's always safe to drink straight from the source.
City Water Supply: If your home is connected to a city water supply, water pressure should remain stable, which means the shower will work when the power is out. However, if you rely on a well pump, which needs electricity to function, you might face water pressure issues.
If your well collapses due to a covered peril, such as a hurricane or tornado, you'd likely have coverage and your homeowners insurance would likely pay to repair or replace your well.
A well is said to have gone dry when water levels drop below a pump intake. This does not mean that a dry well will never have water in it again, as the water level may come back through time as recharge increases.
If you have a septic system, you will see a $0.00 charge for wastewater or sewer services on your utility bill (or you will not receive a utility bill). Your home's location also can help you figure out if you have a septic system.
If your water is coming from your own private well, then you won't get a monthly water bill. If you are using a septic system, you won't be getting a monthly sewer use bill. Having less bills is normally a good thing. Well water is normally fresher, high in nutrients, and high in minerals.
The most common issues with well water are that it often smells foul and turns a rusty orange color. Hard water and funky odors are common problems with well water, you may be left with stained laundry, itchy skin, and a less-than-pleasant shower experience.
When you have your own private well you can skip paying a monthly water bill to the local utility. And if you have your own septic system, you won't have to pay for sewage as well. Of course, when you have your own well, it's your responsibility to pay for your pump and other infrastructure as necessary.
An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
Problems with using well water to water your lawn
One issue is that wells can become contaminated from agricultural or industrial runoff that leaches into the groundwater. Well water should be tested regularly for pH levels and other minerals to ensure it is safe for irrigation.
Power Outages: If there's no electricity and no backup power, your regular well pump won't work. Living Off the Grid: If your home has limited electrical capacity, a hand pump is a great solution. Emergency Preparedness: In case of natural disasters, having a hand pump means you still have access to clean water.
For instance, a shallow well pump with a horsepower rating of 1.5 may require about 1500 watts to operate, while a deep well pump with a horsepower rating of 1.5 to 2 may require up to 2500 watts.
While a well pump can last 40 years or more with exceptional care and maintenance, most pumps have a typical lifespan of 8 to 15 years. Regular inspection and servicing can help extend the pump's lifespan.
Generally, cleaning your well can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. For example, a shallow well with no significant issues may only cost around $500 to $1,000 to clean.