Value Of Rural Water - Need Sources

[Lawrence R.]

I recently bought some acreage...we had the choice to go with public water(no sewer) or dig our own well.

Around here the cost of a well is about 2000. The county tap costs 1200, plus $1/foot to run your line from the tap to your house(570 feet in my case) over 1000 feet for my Dad.

So, the question became do we pay 2000 for water with no water bill, or 2000 for the ability to get water at a monthly rate.

we both went for wells. When we purchased the property, we knew that county water would be available, but it did not impact our decision on price at all....we figured the well water system would be more cost effective anyway.

Had the land not been able to support a septic system...now that would have really effected the land value. however, I don't see the source of the water as a huge determining factor. For me, the savings on the water bill offset the idea that municipal water is somehow superior to filtered well water. We shall see...Unless my clothes come out of the drier rust colored, I think things will be fine.

 

[Mountain Man]

You might have to look at the Highest & Best Use. In my area, without public water you can't get a residential zoning. With water and sewer, you can get a cluster residential zoning. The difference between Ag, residential, and cluster residential is hundreds of thousands $$$$ per acre.

 

[Kristina Ledesma]

Having worked in a low density rural market with spots of city water in the small metro areas, I have never seen a difference between city water and well water. I have heard more than a few people talk about the good taste and quality of their well water but never about the fine chemical tastes in most city systems.

IMNSHEO, there is no change in value going either way. It is a non-value issue as long as the supply is good and constant. I would not be drawn into giving an opinion other than to say that there is really inconclusive evidence that city water adds or subtracts from value......unless there is a high degree of ground water contamination or very offensive taste/smell to the well water. Then you have another issue that is strictly local that must be determined in the local market and not from any national data base.

Agreed. There are pro's and con's for both. Though, personally, I prefer a private well and septic system over public water/sewer. We have good water and are mostly sand, so drainage isn't an issue. Several community well systems in the area seem to have issues, one having arsenic in the water.

 

[Mark Eaton]

Thank you all for your input.

I agree that there are pro's and con's both ways. We are in a mountain area, and a well can't be drilled just anywhere. Also, the drilling process often results in one or more dry holes (not enough water for typical use). It is also common for the well water to contain sulfur which leads to a strong taste in the water and a strong smell in the house. We have many residences in the county that have an insufficient water supply. Some folks haul water, and a few have water collection systems.

It would seem to me that the increased potential utility of a rural property with the addition of a constant, consistent, public water supply would be beneficial to value, at least over time. If you take a property that has no potential for development, then add a water supply that increases that potential, surely there is an eventual benefit.

I personally prefer a good well or spring. I've had both at one time or another.