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Buying Country Property-Well Contaminants and What You Need to Know.

By
Industry Observer

There are numerous sources of contaminants for well water and all of these should be taken into consideration when choosing a site for a new well or when upgrading an existing well.
Purchasers of vacant land in the country or of country homes should make themselves aware of the possibility of contamination from any of the following sources before they choose a well location or sign an agreement of purchase and sale:

  • Waste Products from Animals~Livestock and pet manure are serious problems when it comes to wells. The Walkerton tragedy was a direct result of an improperly located and maintained well which became contaminated with livestock manure run-off.
    Review farm and kennel management practices by following the guidelines put out by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. In addition, be wary of where you are locating your pet's run or a barn in relation to your well.

  • Underground Storage Tanks~Underground fuel storage tanks may pose a particular hazard, particularly if they are over 10-15 years old and/or lack protection against corrosion. It's a good idea to remove underground storage tanks and replace them with above-ground storage tanks that have been installed according to government requirements and standards.

  • Above-ground Storage Tanks~Storage tanks for any toxic chemical or fuel should be kept at least 50-100 feet (15-30 metres) away from a well, depending on the well type. This is a  requirement under Ontario's Regulation 903. Tanks should have a spill containment system capable of holding at least 125 % of the volume of the tank.

  • Toxic Chemicals and Fuels~Toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, oils and fuels should be stored in proper containers and well away from any wells. When filling your lawnmower's gas tank or that of any other machinery, be aware that one litre of gasoline can contaminate one million litres of groundwater. It's a good idea to refuel far away from a well and preferably on a hard top surface in case of spills. Clean up any spills quickly with sand or kitty litter. Never us water to hose down a spill !

  • Gardens~Gardens should not be located near a well. Low-growing permanent ground covers such as grass should be planted around wells and fertilizers and pesticides should not be used anywhere near a well.

  • Septic Systems~Septic Systems should be located down grade and far away from your well. The system should meet the Ontario Building Code and all chemicals other than human waste should be kept out of the septic system. Most septic systems should be kept 100 feet away from any wells in the vicinity. Keep your septic system well maintained and have it pumped it out every 2-3 years.

  • Farm field run-off~ Locate your well a good distance from any cultivated farm fields due to the dangerous affects of the pesticides and fertilizer run-off on the people who consume the well water. Some herbicides leach into the ground water for many years after they are spread and the nitrates and nitrites from fertilizers can cause devastating, permanent damage to the livers and tender bodily systems of young children.

  • Be Aware of Abandoned Barrels and Tanks~ Check for evidence of any abandoned tanks that may have been buried by previous owners. Look for pipes sticking out of the ground or other evidence that something may be buried nearby. Harmful liquids may leach out of corroding barrels and contaminate the ground water, including your well, in the vicinity. There are many tragic stories of people who have become extremely ill or died from drinking well water that was contaminated with chemicals which leached in from surrounding decaying toxic waste barrels.

  • Road Salts, De-icing Chemicals and Oils~ Keep your well far away from sources of contamination that may come from driveways or nearby roads. These may include chemicals used in de-icing as well as oil leaks from vehicles.

 When it comes to your family's health, pure, uncontaminated water is of a paramount importance.
Where you choose to put your well today will impact all those who depend on it's water now and well into the future. Choose wisely!

Part One~Buying Country Property-Choosing a Location for Your Well

©2008JoSmith





Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com

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Comments (10)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Jo, I can certainly see that buying land in the Country is so different you'd clearly need an expert like yourself to be aware of all the information many consumers are lacking.  I wouldn't have known about any of this.
Feb 17, 2008 08:47 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
More great information JO about what to watch out for! It is scary too think how many chemicals were dumped into the ground in past years before there was an awareness of contamination. Your articles are very well researched and well written. You give a nice bullet point on things to look for. True professionals who care about clients, like you obviously do, are invaluable!
Feb 17, 2008 09:14 AM
Candy Henthorne
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring Texas Real Estate
Jo - You have provided great information regarding wells and country property!  It certainly pays to find out as much as possible beforehand.
Feb 17, 2008 10:42 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Hi Jo....when we moved "up North" we had to put in a well and we used a dowser. I never would have believed it ...but it worked! I will have to look for the picture I have.

The insurance companys around here are starting to balk at dug wells....theey want drilled!

Feb 17, 2008 12:57 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI
Jo-Anne, this is wonderful information for the consumers in your area.  Heck, not even just for your area.  You educated me. 
Feb 17, 2008 09:14 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Carole,

It's certainly advisable to have a REALTOR who knows about country properties, and all that is entailed, when purchasing a home.....for your protection during the offer process (as many clauses need to be inserted into the contract to protect the buyer) and after the transaction closes to assist you with any questions you might have.

thanks for stopping by!

Jo 

Feb 17, 2008 10:00 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Thank you Mary!

I too shudder to think of all of the chemicals that are traversing through our groundwater system.  There are also numerous old industrial and military waste sites where decaying barrels of used oil, toxic chemicals, etc are leaching into the surrounding environment and very little is being done to alleviate the problem. 

It's extremely sad and tragic when you think of what we've done to the earth and the resources our lives depend on.

Jo 

Feb 17, 2008 10:07 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Thank you Candy,

Learning about wells is very important for people considering moving to the country....hopefully this series will assist some folks in that manner.

((-:

Jo 

Feb 17, 2008 11:38 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Joan,

Everyone around here uses dowsers when searching for a good well location...it definitely works. I've seen dowsers in action.....my youngest son has amazing dowsing abilities.

The Ontario government implemented new laws with respect to wells due to the deaths of many people who drank from contaminated wells....I don't blame insurance companies for being more cautious and wanting drilled wells now. With water you can never be too careful...

thanks for visiting this post!

Jo 

Feb 18, 2008 02:40 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Hi Kris,

Thanks!  Many of the areas I serve are rural and utilize wells for their water sources so I make it a point to always share what I know about wells. It's such a critical issue....

Jo 

Feb 18, 2008 04:06 AM