1. Wells and Septic Systems: The Importance of Care and Maintenance
What Every Realtor should know!

2. Septic Systems NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION HOME RESALE
Requires a septic permit
Environmental Health Services (Gallatin City-County Health Department, 215 W. Mendenhall Street, Bozeman)
HOME RESALE
Obtain a copy of the septic permit (pre-1966 are not legal)
How many bedrooms is home permitted for? Addition to home may have invalidated permit
Know septic system
Type (conventional gravity, pressure-dosed, elevated mound, sand filter, etc.)
Age
Location for replacement drainfield!
Consider evaluation of system – minimize unknowingly selling home with failing system
Request system be pumped

3. What if the Septic System is Failing?!
Health hazard
Potential liability
Make sure to disclose
Seller and buyer can agree on how to repair the system – work with Environmental Health

4. Domestic Wells NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION Contact licensed well driller!
No “permit” needed; however….
Well driller must file well log with MT Bureau of Mines and Geology
Entered into MT Groundwater Information Center database
Well driller should provide homeowner with copy of well log
Homeowner required to file for a “Notice of Completion” with the MT Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC)
Dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/water/water-rights/docs/forms/602.pdf
$125 filing fee
Full Domestic Analysis Water Test
Test kits for homeowners available at GLWQD office
Arsenic considerations

5. Domestic Wells Existing Home/Resale Remember “100”
Well must be 100 feet upgradient of septic drainfield
Well must be 100 feet from any stream or irrigation ditch
Well must be 100 feet from the 100-year floodplain
Know well location and examine!
Obtain copy of well log and water right “Notice of Completion”
GWIC database – GLWQD can assist
Obtain historical water test results from seller – Legally required to disclose.
Request a basic water test (bacteria, nitrate) at a minimum
include arsenic in certain areas:
West of the West Gallatin River
Big Sky area
Hebgen Lake/West Yellowstone region
sanitary cap

6. Key Points to Remember Know if property is serviced by:
Municipality
Water & Sewer District
Community system
Private well & septic
Property on well & septic means:
Homeowner is their own Water & Sewer Operator
No one else is responsible for water quality or septic maintenance
Wells need a “Notice of Completion” certificate from DNRC
Wells need a Well Log – GWIC
Septic systems need a valid permit
Know the location of the well, septic tank and drainfield

7. Video