This bulletin is designed to help prospective home buyers and sellers understand how to evaluate their water and septic systems as part of the transaction process. The well provides an essential resource water-and the septic system performs the important function of getting rid of waste while preserving your health and safety. They are systems you can't do without. Imagine being unable to use your faucets, toilet or drains for even just a few days, as sometimes happens during major power outages. Properly functioning water and septic systems save money, especially compared with alternative systems such as bottled water, expensive treatment devices or extensive repair bills.
Good systems are also necessary for disease prevention.
Poorly operating systems can cause your family to be exposed to harmful disease organisms and chemicals through your well or on the soil surface. Apart from monetary and family health considerations, properly functioning systems are convenient. Water that tastes good and plenty of water pressure and volume for household chores are often taken for granted, but they are important to your enjoying your home. Conducting a water and septic system evaluation prior to sale or purchase protects both the buyer and the seller. Most importantly, an evaluation helps to protect the value of the buyer's investment by ensuring that the system will provide a quality source of water and safely accommodate wastes.