Rural Water Supply
Most of us simply turn on our water faucets and take for granted how the water got there. If you live in a rural area you may know more about that process than the rest of society. This is because the rural water supply is often different. The specifics of it depend on the location you live in. The rule of thumb though is that the more isolated of an area you live in the less likely it is that you will have a traditional water system.
The water supply in most residential areas comes from underground pipes that are connected to the main water source for that area. It just isn’t cost effective for the water company to lay miles of pipes to get to one or two homes in a remote location in the country. If there are many homes in a set area then the water company may choose to cover part of the cost of running pipes to the area of the homeowners agree to pay the remainder.
The most common way individuals in this type of area get their water supply is from a well. This is a device that allows you to pump the water from underground. In many locations well water contains some harsh minerals. While it is acceptable to shower with and for toilets many people have to have large containers of water on their property that is reserved for cooking and for drinking.
If a well is being used for a rural water supply the water needs to be routinely tested. You can buy self testing kits from a variety of locations including farm and ranch stores or online. Sometimes well water can have a musty smell to it or it can come out of the faucets rusty. In most cases allowing the water to flow for a minute or two will remove the reddish tint from it.
Should the rural property not come with a well that works you may find the cost of repairing it to be quite expensive. If you are considering buying property in a rural area it is important to ask about the water rights of the property. Installing a new well is expensive as well. It has to be done by professionals who have equipment to dig many feet below the ground to access the water supply.
