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Not allowed to sink a well anymore?

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  • 03-10-2014 9:10pm
    #1
    alltacht
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭


    Hello everyone,

    We are in the process of planning a new build/upgrading an existing building instead. We had a meeting with a local architect lately, who informed us that if we purchase a site/house that has access to mains water then we are obliged to use the mains water and are not allowed to sink a well. Not sure if this is very recent legislation, but it would make a big difference to us if this is the case.
    Just hoping for some clarification as the architect didn't explain it any further to us.
    Thanks in advance!


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    #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,306 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    alltacht wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    We are in the process of planning a new build/upgrading an existing building instead. We had a meeting with a local architect lately, who informed us that if we purchase a site/house that has access to mains water then we are obliged to use the mains water and are not allowed to sink a well. Not sure if this is very recent legislation, but it would make a big difference to us if this is the case.
    Just hoping for some clarification as the architect didn't explain it any further to us.
    Thanks in advance!

    why?


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    #3
    Rabbo
    Registered Users Posts: 637 ✭✭✭Rabbo


    A deep bore well and pump may cost €5-6k.

    The water charges are looking to be maybe €300-€400/year for a family.

    Allowing, say, €150/year for electricity,maintenance and testing costs for the well, and the payback period for the well would be approx 22 years.

    Also, you aren't guaranteed the quality of the water from the well. At least with Irish Water, you should be guaranteed a minimum standard of quality.

    A deep bore well dosent make sense when there is a public supply nearby.


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    #4
    db
    Registered Users Posts: 1,084 ✭✭✭db


    Whether you are connected to the public mains or not you will still have significant installation and maintenance costs. If you are on the mains you will have a higher development contribution and annual water charges for both supply and disposal. For a well you will need to bore the well at an unknown cost, install a pump, pressure cylinder, uv filter and possibly a water softener. You will have ongoing costs for water softener salt, annual maintenance of pump and filter and running costs of pump. If you have access to mains sewerage, you will have to use this, otherwise you will need a percolation test and environmental report for a septic tank / treatment system and all the costs associated with installation and possibly a maintenance contract. The septic tank will also need to be emptied occasionally.

    If you're only reason for boring a well is to avoid water charges, I don't think it would make sense. With a well you also have the problem that if you have a power cut, your water is also gone.


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    #5
    Triangle
    Registered Users Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Triangle


    I'm not a Pro Well supporter or an Irish water supporter but i expect.

    1) With a well you also have the problem that if you have a power cut, your water is also gone.
    This also happens with Irish Water supplies, we've had water outages generally at least once every two months.
    2) You will have ongoing costs for water softener salt
    This also happens for Irish Water supplies, as we have had to install a water softener to fix the water provided to us from Irish Water.
    3) If you have access to mains sewerage, you will have to use this, otherwise you will need a percolation test and environmental report for a septic tank / treatment system and all the costs associated with installation and possibly a maintenance contract.
    Again this will be required either way, with a well or without.


    The only valid points DB made in my opinion were
    'For a well you will need to bore the well at an unknown cost, install a pump, pressure cylinder, uv filter and possibly a water softener. , annual maintenance of pump and filter and running costs of pump.'

    Personally, I'd go with the supplied Irish Water route, at least then you can vent your anger at them when you have no water and have an army of people to vent against them with :)


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