If you are looking to build or buy your own home with the help of a government-backed Federal Housing Loan (FHA), you are not alone. The Federal Government approved low-interest mortgages for hundreds of thousands of Americans last year alone, with demand rising in recent years.
In addition, you may also be eligible for a Veterans Administration (VA) loan for securing or building your dream house. However, if you are seeking to buy a home with federal assistance that has a private well on the property, there are some important requirements you must meet concerning well water.
It is essential that the well water on your property is safe to drink and does not represent a hazard to yourself or your community. That is why there are stringent FHA/VA testing requirements in place when it comes to well water testing. Read on to find out exactly what you need to know.
1. FHA Well Water Requirements
If you are applying for an FHA loan for a property you wish to live in that has a private well, then you need to be able to demonstrate that the property has perfectly safe drinkable well water. This means that you may need to conduct a number of tests to ensure that your water well system is up to scratch, and provide proof of those tests to the FHA or VA.
An FHA inspector may also visit the property to appraise the water well. First, they will need to see that the water well is located at least 100 feet away from your septic tank drain field and at least 50 feet away from the septic tank itself. The well must be located at least 10 feet away from the actual property line.
If you are not using the well, then it must be filled with at least 20 feet of concrete and capped to prevent leakage or seepage. When it comes to the water quality itself, there are a number of additional requirements.
A disinterested party such as a professional water testing company will test the water and provide a certificate proving that the water quality meets local minimum requirements. These results are valid for 90 days and must be submitted to the FHA within this period.
2. VA Well Water Requirements
When asking “is well water safe to drink?”, the answer is usually “yes”, as long as the well water is properly maintained. This is what FHA/VA testing is designed to check. When it comes to FHA, VA & USDA loans for a property with a water well, the most important thing is that the water quality meets local requirements that are set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You will need to arrange for an independent contractor to conduct a survey of the well water. They will confirm if the well water meets local EPA requirements, which will allow you to progress with your loan application.
Water will be tested for bacteria such as E-coli and total coliform. The test also includes other chemicals like nitrates and nitrites along with lead. If these are present at elevated levels, you will need to take steps to improve water quality before you can be granted a FHA, VA or USDA housing loan. Repairs, filtration and sanitizing the system are often used as remedies to correct issues with the well water quality.
Test Your Water Quality Today
If you are applying for an Orlando or Central Florida area FHA or VA housing loan, you need to test your well water. Fortunately, you have come to the right place. To find out how you can get your well water tested by a trustworthy third party for an affordable price, do not hesitate to contact our friendly and professional team today. You can book directly on our website or call our customer service team at 407-658-8267!