If you’ve decided to buy a home that is not on municipal water services it is important to know how this affects the home purchase process and ongoing home ownership.
If you are financing your purchase with a mortgage, your realtor and your lawyer will let you know you must have a water test completed. The bank requires that the water in the home be free from bacteria and your lawyer will need evidence of that, prior to closing. The bank does not require that the water be free from minerals. However, minerals can negatively impact your health and the longevity of the plumbing in your home. It is always a good idea to test for the main types of contaminants in your area.
If your water test comes back showing contaminants, in most situations the seller will agree to provide a water treatment system and a clean water test. However, they are not obligated to do so. This will become a negotiable item.
Keep in mind that different systems remedy different issues. For a few hundred dollars, you can have a system that will attach to the sink and only treat the water coming out of that tap. For thousands of dollars, you can have a whole house system that treats the water at the source and removes most contaminants.
If you are unsure about the different types of contaminants or systems, you should contact a company that performs the tests or installs the treatment systems and they will discuss your options with you. You can also find a variety of resources online provided by the provincial government.
If you have any questions about property matters, please contact Lauren M. Randall.