LET'S TALK: Private Wells

In Idaho there are lots of large and remote properties so city water may not be available at your new home. Private wells are very common up here but there is a lot of information that you should learn about before just diving into buying a home with a well or drilling your own well before building your home.

Depending on where you are looking in Bonner or Boundary County, finding a property with good water is not always guaranteed. Which is why it's so important that you research the area and get a good inspection of the existing well with its GPM (gallons per minute) and water test, or if you're going to drill, talk to your well driller about where water may be best accessed. Some areas of the county can easily find water and others may require a deep well. Our local well drillers are very knowledgeable about the area and are required to be licensed in the state of Idaho, so they are your best resource to answer any questions.

"Prior to drilling a well, the well owner or well driller must first obtain a drilling permit from IDWR. All wells must be constructed by a well driller with a valid license from IDWR." - Idaho Department of Water Resources

So what about an existing well? Existing wells are a great way to be self-sufficient and have control over your own water. However, if the well is old, or polluted, or has water rights, it's super important to research it before purchasing a home. Do a productivity test to find out the GPM (gallons per minute), do a potability water test (to check for bacteria and minerals), and research the well with the Department of Water and Health. (See the link below to find information for wells in Idaho)

https://idwr.idaho.gov/wells/