Selling Your Home with a Well

Seller's Tips when Selling Your Home with a Well

Private wells supply water to many households in the county.  Sampling for safety and health of this water falls solely on the home owner or tenants shoulders.  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the EPA both recommend sampling coliform bacteria and nitrates annually, or whenever a change of quality is observed, at a minimum.  If you're selling the home, the well should be tested just before listing the property. Buyers most likely will include a well test as a part of the home inspection clause.

Breckenridge well permits are recorded with the Colorado Division of Water Resources. To obtain information on a water well and forms, visit the Colorado Division of Water Resources website.  Summit County Environmental Health provides well water testing for nitrates and coliform bacteria. 

Be Ready for these Water Well Questions from Buyers

• What is the wells history? - Get as much information as possible on the construction, maintenance and current condition of the well. The seller should have a copy of the well log or well history available. If not, you can get the information form the well contractor or the local health department.

• Review the Wells Condition – Where is it located on the property? What is it's age?

• What is the wells capacity and its yield? - Communities will often set a minimum well yield for residents. Call the local health department or ask a well professional for and local minimum well yield requirements.

• Has the well been recently tested? - The EPA suggests that well owners test their well annually. Testing should include bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and pH. The well should also be tested for any locally known contaminants like arsenic, lead or radon. If you're selling the home, the well should be tested just before listing the property. Buyers should include a well test as a part of the home inspection clause.