Private water supply?

DogsBody

Hi everyone

I'm considering a house that does not have a mains water supply. The water comes from a borehole shared between two properties with 50% responsibility for maintaining the head and whatever goes with it, then sole responsibility for the pipework and whatever serving the property itself.

I'm used to off mains drainage but have no experience of off mains water. On the plus side, no monthly bills, but I don't really know what I should be asking the vendor! Any of you kind people got any hints and tips?

Assume the "treatment" end needs servicing periodically and the water should be tested? And what is it like to "live with"? OH being a town boy is totally freaked out by the notion of non-mains water and is quite convinced we'll be dead of horrible water borne diseases within a month!

Help me to talk him round people :A

Thanks for any tips and experiences

brightontraveller

Can be tricky and not always cheaper ? You’ll need to research first e.g year round sufficiency of the supply its quality any treatment such as filters or UV disinfection units, Is risk assessment needed if so has one already been carried Local Authority (can be £500 a pop )what were results recommendations etc below link gives you the basics

http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/private-water-supply/Consumer/housebuyer-leaflet.pdf

http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/consumers/advice-leaflets/pws.pdf

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3101/contents/made

System

Normally the water supply will have been tested and approved at the time of application - after that I'm not really sure what paperwork would be available - I have done lots of new builds served by private water supplies, my main concern would be to check if there is a maintenance contract in place, if it's old you need to confirm that the volume available is sufficient (I know of some older supplies that didn't keep up with modern demands)

also.... find out what the previous owners died from

martinthebandit

The house I grew up in had three taps over the kitchen sink, hot and cold mains and cold well water.

The well water was the one most used as it tasted better.

I'm still alive so, so far, it hasn't done me any harm

Ectophile

DogsBody wrote: »

Help me to talk him round people :A

Point out that the expensive mineral water that you can buy in bottles at any shop has been sucked out of a borehole. You'll be drinking free mineral water every day.

Davesnave

If you go for this property, make sure your solicitor asks in the questions before contract, whether the water supply has ever failed or been inadequate during the present owners' tenure .

That way you'll have a legal come back should it subsequently come to light that there have been problems, but more importantly, putting an answer in writing will focus sellers' minds on making an accurate declaration in the first place.

DogsBody

Thanks everyone - leaflets very useful BT, have fired off some q's to the EA off the back of them.

Supply is likely to be quite old TRS and MTB, property was built 1901 and originally on well water, the volume coming out is the only slightly worrying part. Don't think I'll be showing our lad that last bit Mr Sole

I suggested that he could buy in bottled water Ecto, I can just fill 'em up at the tap when he's not looking

Dave, the survey has flagged that as something to be addressed by the sols, was down there at the weekend and the two properties sharing the supply appear to have had tenants on and off for the last while. The owner might be a bit difficult to pin down on the questions if the property questionnaire is anything to go by!

Trying to arrange a viewing next week, armed with questions at the ready!