Dammit! I share a well with three (and potentially a fourth) neighbor. Our water pressure has been quite low recently. Today I asked the well company in Peralta to come out and take a look. The well technician (is that what they are called?) says we need a new pump, motor, and control panel. That will cost between $3,000 and $3,500. Since I have to wrestle with my three existing neighbors to get them to pay their share of the electric bill for the well (about $50/month), what do you think they’ll say when I ask them to cough up $800 each? I’ve asked the well company for an estimate to have my own well dug. It would certainly reduce the aggravation. There are always a few complications in life . . .
10 Comments
Yeah, I’d go with my own well. Will serve you well in the end!
We have two wells. Everyone in our little neighborhood shared the first aquifer. Drilled deeper for the second well and the pressure is so much better no fluctuations and much less sand. Good luck.
Hi Penni, When we lived in Nevada we were on a community well and it was a total pain. Same thing – something would go wrong and getting everyone to contribute to the repair was a nightmare. If we had stayed we would have dug our own well. In our area they had to go down several hundred feet to get water and it was quite pricey, so the cost will probably depend on how deep they have to go. In the long run, it’s probably cost efficient to have your own well. Good luck!!
Go for a package with a warranty (5 years is typical). We have our own well at 360′ and that cost $9000 turnkey. Do ask the well folks if the well bore hole looks like it has any issues (sediment, caving in, etc). They should be able to tell when they pull the pump. If so, start budgeting for a new well.
I agree; if you’re planning on staying there, having your own well is worth the expense.
One of the joys of living in the country, even if you don’t have to share the well! Our well is 400 feet deep, and the pump, wiring and control box replacement set us back $2100 in mid 2009. Are you pumping from a lot deeper or are well guys just really well paid in New Mexico?
We have our own well. My father-in-law dug it over 60 years ago. Other than replacing the submersible pump or hose, we don’t have any other expenses. This well serves two houses, a garden and livestock.
An individual well sounds like a great idea — but be prepared for neighbors with pitchers in hand . . .
Shared expenses (and/or responsibilities) can be a nightmare. It’s a great concept, but in reality………
I agree with most of the comments. Having always lived on a farm in the county, we always had our own well and I don’t know what I would do if I had to share.
Way I see it is that they have very little choice. If you go and drill your own, they end up spending more money because the split is bigger for each, or they can drill their own. I think the term is put up or shut up?
Good luck!!!!