When buying a house with private well water, can you request for city water? (Chicago: maintenance, costs)

[Crede's Crew]

We seen some houses in Lake Zurich and Prospect Heights that have private well water. I was wondering if you can request to have public (Lake Michigan) water and how does that work? We we pay for running the pipe or would the city pay full or partially of the cost. Thanks.

[lakecountylifer]

Originally Posted by Crede's Crew

We seen some houses in Lake Zurich and Prospect Heights that have private well water. I was wondering if you can request to have public (Lake Michigan) water and how does that work? We we pay for running the pipe or would the city pay full or partially of the cost. Thanks.

I don't mean to sound flip with you, but do you really think these villages are going to pay for you to get hooked up to city water? Get your check-book out....thats even if the city agrees to let you pay for it.

[chet everett]

The short answer is "you can always ask". The longer answer is that most muniple water systems charge pretty stiff "connection fees" and if the actual water mains need to be extended you are looking at what could be tens of thousands of dollars and just about no sane seller would do other than laugh at such a request...

[gentlearts]

What's wrong with well water?

[chet everett]

Most parts of the region that have well water tend to have high mineral content, often including signficant amounts of iron and fairly high levels of other metalic compounds. It ain't is bad as in agricultural areas where aquaifiers have been shown to contain significant amounts of herbicides but stained toilets and dingy clothes other prompt folks to add water softening devices and then you are slave to the routine of salt replacement...

[Crede's Crew]

Aw, I'm so sorry for asking such a silly question. I remember couple of years back I read about how some suburbs will help their residents get hooked up to lake water if the ground water is too harsh or contaminated and will split the bill. I'll look into it some more if we decide to go with one of these houses. I know that some of these homes, all of the neighbors already have lake water. So it's just a matter of tapping into the main pipe.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Crede's Crew

Aw, I'm so sorry for asking such a silly question. I remember couple of years back I read about how some suburbs will help their residents get hooked up to lake water if the ground water is too harsh or contaminated and will split the bill. I'll look into it some more if we decide to go with one of these houses. I know that some of these homes, all of the neighbors already have lake water. So it's just a matter of tapping into the main pipe.

The city of Chicago controls the base wholesale rate of Lake Michigan water sold to the suburbs. They have raised rates repeatedly. Beyond that the maintenance budgets of the various suburban water departments is stretched terribly thin. They use high connection fees to offset other expenses...

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by Crede's Crew

Aw, I'm so sorry for asking such a silly question. I remember couple of years back I read about how some suburbs will help their residents get hooked up to lake water if the ground water is too harsh or contaminated and will split the bill. I'll look into it some more if we decide to go with one of these houses. I know that some of these homes, all of the neighbors already have lake water. So it's just a matter of tapping into the main pipe.

If the neighbors on both sides have lake water, the line should be there, but you will pay out of pocket to tap into it. Some suburbs are cheaper than others. It's worth looking into but the lack of it shows the owner wasn't willing to pay the price to get it. My uncle took years to finally do it once the lines were laid even though his neighbors did pay the price.

[cubssoxfan]

In Prospect Heights, probably not. There was a referendum that required a majority vote to convert to Lake Michigan water but it was turned down due to the cost. I do not hear any complaints about the water being "bad". probably more of a taste issue and also needing to keep up with the supplies in maintaining the system. I would not hesitate to buy in Prospect Heights due to well/septic. I would just research costs associated and be sure to include them in my cost of ownership comparisons.

[Crede's Crew]

I really like Prospect Heights. Those ranches on half an acre lots are so appealing. However, the well water and the lack of sidewalk, not so much...