Is My Roanoke Area Home on Well Water or City Water?
If you get a water bill, you're on public water. If you don't, and there's a pressure tank in the basement or a well cap in the yard, you're on a well. Wells need their own care: the pump, the pressure tank and regular water tests.
Request a plumberCheck your bills
Homes on public water get a bill from the water authority or town. No water bill usually means a private well.
Look in the basement or crawl space
A well system has a pressure tank, usually a tall blue or gray cylinder, with a pressure switch and gauge nearby. City water has a meter, often near the street or where the line enters.
Look in the yard
A well cap is a short pipe sticking out of the ground, often a few inches to a foot high with a metal or plastic lid.
Why it matters for repairs
A well problem can be the pump, the switch, the pressure tank or wiring, not just pipes. Mention it in your request so the right person comes. See well water systems.
Testing well water
Private wells aren't tested by anyone but you. Testing once a year, and after a flood, is common advice. Cloudy water, staining or a smell are reasons to test sooner.
What about septic?
Homes on wells are often on septic too. Keep grease, wipes and chemical drain openers out of the system and know when the tank was last pumped.
What if I'm buying a home?
Ask the seller for the age of the well pump and pressure tank, any recent water test results and when a septic tank was last pumped. An inspection of the well system is worth arranging before closing, since a new pump is a big unplanned expense.
Can I switch from a well to public water?
Sometimes, if a main runs along your road. The plumber can explain what a connection involves, including a meter, a new service line and permits.
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