Real Estate Transfer Testing
There are many reasons for real estate testing to come into play, it may be due to a bank loan, or because many towns often require home owners to test the quality and quantity of a well before selling. Or perhaps the buyer wants to do their own testing before hand. Regardless it is important for real estate agents to keep contact with their local well companies. One of the most important factors to consider when planning to purchase or build a home is the adequacy of the water supply. The amount of water available to the home can be equally as important as the quality of the water. The question of how much water is adequate for a private domestic supply is a commonly asked question.
When a real estate transfer test occurs, there are two aspects – the Quality and Quantity.
The Quantity
The qualified technicians should perform a full system inspection, a tank inspection, a pressure check, an examination of the pressure switch and/or constant pressure drive unit, a performance check of the pump and they will also be checking the integrity of the well seal. If the residence has water filtration this will also be analyzed.
Typically this stage of the test takes up to 4 hours to get a proper reading on the well and flow. We recommend that a minimum water supply capacity for domestic internal household use should be capable of supplying at least 1200 gallons of water within a 4 hour period once each day. This is equivalent to a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute (gpm) for 4 hours. Some homeowners may find this supply of water to be less than desirable depending on the size of the family or if outdoor use is a requirement. Water supply capacities less than this amount may be considered a hardship by many homeowners.
The Quality
When it comes to drinking water one can never be too safe. You should have a qualified technician take a sample of the well water from the kitchen sink and take it to an independent laboratory. From there the water is tested and the results sent over. This test takes all of 5 minutes, however the laboratory takes anywhere from 5-7 days, (7-10 days in terms of extensive testing). We recommend water quality testing once a year to make sure no contaminants have entered the well.
When it comes to quality testing there are typically two choices, the breakdown is as follows:
Comprehensive tests for the following: total coliform, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, alkalinity, ammonia, chloride, chlorine, color, conductivity, hardness, nitrates/ nitrites, ph, odor, sulfates, turbidity, sediment, lead, arsenic, fluoride+ Radon in water 3-5 days for results
Extensive Tests for the following: total coliform, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, alkalinity, ammonia, chloride, chlorine, color, conductivity, hardness, nitrates/ nitrites, ph, odor, sulfates, turbidity, sediment, lead, arsenic, fluoride in addition it also tests for the volatile organic scan : p-dichlorobenzene, 0 -dichlorobenzene, styrene, benzene, trichloroethylene, trans-1, 2 Dichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, Carbon tetracholoride, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, cis -1, 2 Dichloroethylene, toluene, 1,1- Dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, 1,2- Dichloropropane, xylenes, 1,2- dichloroethane, monochlorobenzene, ethylbenzene+ Radon in the water.
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