Spring Water

[NorTracNY]

Does anyone have experience with a spring water source for a house and barn? We are looking at a house which has a spring water source. The current owner has only lived at the place for a few years, but the place is about 20 years old. He says it has never run dry on him and he said the prior owner had many more animals. There is a filter of some sort at the house. The current owner didn't really know how long the pipe is, or where it starts on the property.

He has never had the water tested. Any thoughts? At the very least, I'd like to have the water tested as part of any offer. There is no option for municipal water.

 

[ponytug]

The details matter. I've known good springs and contaminated ones, and springs with good water and bad spring boxes. A great deal depends on the local geology, and where the water is coming from, e.g. a big chicken farm or a dairy pasture, or large concentration of deer above the spring.

If it were me, I would the spring tested for bacteria, humid, hardness, trace elements, and for nitrates. If you get a positive on nitrates or trace metals, I would test for organic chemicals.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Jstpssng]

The well for the house on our family homestead is a big concrete vault about 12'x16', resting on ledge. We pumped it dry to clean it back around 1976 and added a layer of stone.
Water came out of the ledge in 3 places. At one time it fed 2 houses plus a 1/4 acre of greenhouses and never went dry.
Yet it won't pass a water test. Instead it has an ultraviolet purifying system plus another filter to treat the hard water.

My well is a tile setting above ledge. I had it dug down to ledge and added 10 yards of stone.
It has never gone dry but won't pass a water test. I buy water for drinking and cooking. I probably shouldn't do dishes with it but I do.
I have 2 filters in back of the water pump and an ultraviolet purifier which I haven't gotten around to hooking up. I also need to set another tile and backfill it better... when it started after this years drought the water got cloudy.

I wouldn't call it a well until it passes a water test. Until then it's just a hole in the ground which fills up with water.

 

[steve tym]

You should know where the source is, at some point, it will need attention.
Do a water test and install an ultra violet light regardless of the test results.
Because it's a "spring" shouldn't make it a deal breaker, but some of the details might.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

What everyone else said.
Most of the spring wells around here, that never went dry, went dry this year with our extended draught. Some are still only getting a trickle, winter won't be easy. Maybe I'm spoiled, but to me, water is very essential to quality of life. While I'm capable, I don't ever want to struggle with water.
Knowing the source is key for maintenance, as well as protecting your water rights, if it is off your property. If so, is it deeded?
Personally, I would make sacrifices to put in a drilled well.

 

[Oaktree]

The house I live in now has a spring well, it's gotten low a couple times (including this past Sept.), but hasn't gone dry in the 20 years we've lived here. Never had it tested, no ill effects.

 

[LouNY]

Many banks will not make a mortgage on a spring fed or dug well water system if aware of it.
Most so called spring wells have been "improved" at some time or point, at least a barrel or some type of reservoir often stone filled and buried.

 

[Tinhack]

Just keep in mind that filters do nothing for water hardness (dissolved solids). And get the water tested before consuming.

 

[ponytug]

Many banks will not make a mortgage on a spring fed or dug well water system if aware of it.
Most so called spring wells have been "improved" at some time or point, at least a barrel or some type of reservoir often stone filled and buried.

There's a "spring" well near here that is an 8' long 12" diameter barrel, complete with steel bands sunk about 11' into the ground. As the soil is a soft slippery clay, each time I see it, I think of what an accomplishment it was to have dug it out 100+ years go. It still waters the local animals and cows. (And horses) It always makes me smile at the craftsmanship.

All the best,

Peter

 

[NorTracNY]

Thank you very much for all the replies. This is an Amish home with no electricity, so I already know that some banks will not be willing to give me a mortgage. I have found one that does them. I guess I will look for drillers in the area to get their take on the price to put in a well once electricity is at the house. It's a nice place, but there's a fair amount of "English" upgrades needed which are adding up.