>> Those were excellent links. It sounds like there is not a problem if you maintain your septic system. My concern with having both would be did the person I am buying from maintain it , and what if my neighbor has a septic system and doesn't maintain theirs..could that contaminate my well water? If anyone out there has both systems, I would love some opinions.

I've had both. My last property had septic - new construction in 1999 in Hunterdon county. Currently I have sewer and city water and I'm in Bucks PA - Bristol Borough.

Most "maintenance" required for a septic system is to pump it out with the proper regularity. The seller should have records of this and be able to show them to you. We only pumped ours out every 3 years but there were only 2 of us and it was a big tank. We had no issue whatsoever. Whether we needed to or not, we'd pour 1/2 a canister of that healthy bio stuff in there every 6 months or so. When we'd get it pumped I'd always talk with the vendor and take a look inside. He would always remark how "nice" ours was. And I was surprised that it really didn't seem to have much of an odor at all - just a nice earthy smell.

I assume you are looking in the Doylestown area. It's super nice up there - a great place, indeed. Many properties have septic up that way. If the home is older, it would probably make sense to consider some extra inspections that aren't covered by a normal inspector - the plumbing and septic (if applicable).

So yeah septic and well is fine but it's different. Make sure you've got good water pressure and like the way it tastes ...

Soulwindows,

You are most welcome.

Kenneth has an excellent point regarding testing of the volume of the well! Of course I have been reading Kenneth's posts and he has a wealth of knowledge!!

If you have other home questions check out the links pages on my WEB site. I have hundreds of links up there. There is even a page dedicated to the many, many associations that have links to very good information as well.

Good luck on the home search.

Sincerely

Emmanuel J. Scanlan
PS Inspection & Property Services LLC http://www.psinspection.com
214-418-4366 (cell)
TREC License # 7593
International Code Council, Residential Combination Inspector #5247015-R5 (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing and Building)
Certified Infrared Thermographer (ASNT-TC1A Standards)
Texas Residential Construction Commission, Third Party Warranty Inspector #1593
Texas Department Of Insurance, VIP Inspector # 08507061016
Hayman Residential Engineering Services, Field Technician
CMC Energy - Certified Energy Auditor

Knowledge is power, but sharing knowledge brings peace!!

Soulwindows
I have replaced septic and well at my own home and have homes both with and without city utilities (often public water and sewer are referred as this)
In addition to maintenance is the age consideration. Many older systems could not be installed now as they were 40 years ago due to code changes. Typically larger lots are required when homes are septic and well but this is applicable to newer construction. Older homes often have small lots which can limit the distance from lot lines or septic to well. Now there are requirements for such things as depth of casing (the metal pipe which is in the well shaft)
You may also want to test the volume of water the well can produce. This isnt normal as typically they just test potability to be sure the water is safe to drink. (what good is potable water if you have so little you cant take a shower ?)
There are also new peat systems for septic, raised beds (aka mounded) and conventional systems. Some are more expensive to maintain than others. (Peat system I have heard is higher than conventional and raised bed systems require a ejector pump which adds to the operational costs as opposed to a conventional gravity system). Suggest you speak with board of health in the community you are considering to see if there is a history for the property as well as typical regional costing to replace systems as this can vary also.
Good luck.

Kenneth Verbeyst CRS GRI ABR SRES GREEN
Broker Associate
Prudential Fox&Roach
Licensed NJ&PA

Please contact our companies if you have questions the web sites are listed below. The ACT technologies family of companies are experts in the inspection of underground heating oil tanks, septic system inspections and well water analysis. Each of these companies do more inspections of each of these areas than any other company in New Jersey. Call each of the companies and speak to their experts who have been involved in literally thousands of these inspections. Although you did not mention undergrond tanks this is an issue in New Jersey please visit the ATS web site and call us at 1-800-440-8265 (you can reach Advanced Water Technologies and Advanced Septic Inspections at this number also). Each of these companies has a resident expert in each of the areas to answer questions.Do not rely on the home inspector and realtor to give you expert information regarding all of these ares come to the experts.
http://www.inspectmywater.com and htpp//www.inspectmytank.com

I presently have both septic and well myself and have had many other homes in the past with these systems. My listings have septic (now called subsurface sewage treatment on our new forms) and well disclosures along with the standard seller's disclosures filled out. On the purchase agreements there is a standard section for asking for a septic system to be inspected if they do not have a current septic compliance certificate. Also we have several water testing businesses, which for a small fee check a water sample and I always have that done as well, no matter which side of the transaction I represent. If you want to buy rural property this is how the properties are served. Maintainence is not a big issue but of course something that needs to be understood and done. If buying check on if the water is softened or otherwise sent through a treatment system and ask for that to be included in the sale. Taste the water and see if you like the taste - if not then budget that in too.

Thank you, Emmanuel. Those were excellent links. It sounds like there is not a problem if you maintain your septic system. My concern with having both would be did the person I am buying from maintain it , and what if my neighbor has a septic system and doesn't maintain theirs..could that contaminate my well water? If anyone out there has both systems, I would love some opinions.

Hello Soulwindows,

I at one time didn't know anything about septic systems until I had clients who had one. I also needed to educate myself about them because I was very weary. I can see that the previous person provided some links which should give you a lot to read.

After I learned more about them, I found that they be even better than having water and sewer. As long as you take care of it as with anything else. If you neglect it, thats when you will have problems.

The best thing any buyer can do for themselves is to educate themselves to make them more of a savvy buyer.

This also goes for buyer agency and dual agency. It is extremely important to have a buyer agent who will have your best interests at heart and not the seller. If you are not familiar with buyer agency, you can read about it on my blog. I think you may find it helpful. http://www.reneeporsia.com

You do not need to pay your buyer agent as your agent will be paid out of the seller's proceeds at settlement.

If you do not know any buyer agents, you can certainly find some here on Trulia by reading the answers to your posts and viewing our profiles. Or if your friends or family members know of someone perhaps they can refer you to them if they were happy with their services.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post them or feel free to email me and I would be happy to discuss your situation further.

Renee Porsia
Associate Broker
RE/MAX ACTION
(215) 669-0589 Direct
(215) 358-1100 Office ask for Renee
http://www.reneeporsia.com

Hello Soulwindows,

For septic systems:
http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf
http://www.nowra.org
http://ossf.tamu.edu/
http://www.septicsystem.com:81/septic-services/

For wells:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwwells.html
http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/k/khanna_n/Watershed/wellswork.htm
http://www.wellowner.org/
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.html

There are many more references out there on the WEB. Good luck on your research and purchase.

Emmanuel J. Scanlan
PS Inspection & Property Services LLC http://www.psinspection.com
214-418-4366 (cell)
TREC License # 7593
International Code Council, Residential Combination Inspector #5247015-R5 (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing and Building)
Certified Infrared Thermographer (ASNT-TC1A Standards)
Texas Residential Construction Commission, Third Party Warranty Inspector #1593
Texas Department Of Insurance, VIP Inspector # 08507061016
Hayman Residential Engineering Services, Field Technician
CMC Energy - Certified Energy Auditor

Knowledge is power, but sharing knowledge brings peace!!