Installing new water main

[Jason Foy]

I have my first rental house under contract with earnest money in escrow. I have Been working hard to check off as many things as i can. One of my biggest concerns is the property is on a well / sand point. And city sewer. I contacted the city to ask what it would cost to add a water line to the home. They said they can only answer that to the homeowner. I then told them i have the property under contract with money in escrow during my inspection period, and i am trying to estimate out any major fixes. I have not heard back yet from the city utility office.

1. Can only the city put a water main in, or do i use a licensed plumber. If the city does could i have them put it on the property taxes and pay it off over a few years.

2. If i cant get a price or solution should I assume worst case for negotiation ? I could be drilling a new well thats upwards of 15k + any filtration needed to ensure water is safe to drink.

Contract is 30k

ARV is 50k

Inspection is this afternoon to figure out repair budget

Thank you

[John Teachout]

By water main, I assume you mean hooking in to the city's water? Do they have a water line running by your property? If so, often when they run these lines they make provisions for the residents being able to tap into them. Different parts of the country do things differently. Here in Georgia, the city brings the water to the meter box which is sunken into the front yard, usually within 10 feet or so of the street. From there to the house is your problem. Lines are not buried very deep as our "frost level" is only about 4 inches or so compared with 4 feet in some northern climes. When we lived in Michigan, the water meter was often in the basement of the house but I don't know who's responsibility it was to provide the line from the street to the meter.

Be aware that in many areas, you won't be able to permit a new well for household water if there is public water available. That depends entirely on your local government.