Page 22 - July-Aug 2022_LB

City water and sewer services
If your home uses municipal services, your water connection and supply is generally billed to you every month or
two, while wastewater removal and treatment fees are usually bundled with your property taxes. In some cases, a
third party organization is employed to manage billing and services on behalf of the municipality.”
Many homeowners may not be aware, until faced with an unexpected repair or blockage, all pipes and fittings within
the confines of the property are most likely their financial responsibility.
Basic repairs typically take less than a day, though larger issues requiring excavation and repair can get expensive. It’s
wise to have regular inspections by a licensed professional. You could be faced with some hefty costs if any of your
water systems fail, depending on the severity. You may never experience this catastrophe during your ownership, but
it’s best to be aware and prepared for any scenario.
Despite the rare risk of problems on-property, city water systems are generally reliable with few outages, which are
usually limited to water main repair or upgrades and usually don’t require residents to go without service for more
than a day.

Well and septic systems
On the rural/suburban flip side of the coin, well and septic system maintenance falls entirely to the homeowner. As
you may have guessed, it’s a smart decision to start saving money for long-term maintenance and repairs. A septic
tank will need to be emptied every two to five years, with annual fall inspections to check levels and system integrity.
Wells should also be inspected for pump efficiency and your water tested for contaminants annually.

In rare cases, wells can run dry, requiring drilling a new one, an operation that can range from $3,500 to more than
$10,000 depending on depth and water production quality. The risk of running dry comes when severe drought lowers
the water table, or when too much water has been pulled from the aquifer—this is more likely in rural communities
where residents share the same aquifer source.

Rural water systems sometimes contain iron and mineral deposits that cause staining or hard water—these can be
managed with filters and softeners. The biggest bonus of owning a well? You can avoid a monthly or bi-monthly
water bill!

There’s a lot to consider about this mostly forgotten feature we largely take for granted, but having this knowledge
when approaching homeownership will help prepare you to make informed decisions, while planning for the future.

When you’re ready, let your REALTOR® know the kind of services you’d prefer, and they’ll help you find your next
dream home. ■

22 | REAL ESTATE NOW | LB@LoraleeBurns.com