House has no water supply / Having it hauled in

[SPYLIFE]

I'm looking at a home in Cave Creek, AZ that has a propane tank and a water tank. I've done the propane thing before years ago, was not a huge deal, but the water thing is a little concerning. I know nothing about the tank, how it works, what it holds, etc., as we've not seen the home yet. The real estate agent mentioned this past summer they were paying 120.00 a week with the extreme heat.

Great home, but this sounds like a possible pain in the butt.

Does anyone have personal experience with such a scenario?

Thank you

 

[Mandelon]

So it's totally off the grid? Millions of homes do the water tank thing around the world.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

If it has a water tank, it should have a well to support it. I have seen a few cases where property owners did have to have water delivered, this was very rare and if this is the case you should walk away. Back when I looked into it a tank full was something like $650/month and the owners would have to ration the water.

If you do buy a property with a well, you should always have some money lying around for the inevitable pump going out. It will happen and will happen at the worst possible time.

 

[Cdog]

I’m a broker in the area and deal with this often. Have local subs for well assessments etc..

You would be wise to do your due diligence before moving forward.

Corey 480-720-7649

 

[Mikes56]

A friend of mine lived in Agua Dulce near the Winery. When the Winery used so much water from the aquifer, her well went dry and she had to pay $2500 a month to have water trucked in so her $100,000 yard didn’t all die.

I would want to see receipts that the water was only $120 a week, delivered. Even at $120 a week that’s almost $500 a month for just the water bill.

 

[Cdog]

I hear a lot of horror stories from folks in CA that had a well. East SD & N LA/Venture.

We don’t have the same issues out here but there are plenty of pitfalls to be aware of and due diligence to check before you get stuck.

With the market the way it is, it’s a great time to exercise some leverage

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I've been on wells most of my life in various locations. We preferred a well, but we are not in the desert.

When I was a kid our well went dry. It was traumatizing. You'll gain an incredible appreciation for running water if you go down this path. I would suggest against buying a property without a water source.

 

[monkeyswrench]

"Haul water" is pretty common up here. Many just buy trailers to haul themselves. I run a well and a tank.

I would look into what water is like in the area. Call some well drillers, and see what the cost is, as well as quality. Some areas in the valley have high arsenic levels. There are remediation filter setups, but I don't know how costly they are, and do have an expensive media that gets changed.

 

[dribble]

I looked at beautiful new custom house in Newcastle close to the ramp at Rattlesnake Bar at Folsom Lake. The well recovered at a rate of 5 gallons a minute at a depth of about 300 ft. I passed because of it.

 

[hman442]

I've been on wells most of my life in various locations. We preferred a well, but we are not in the desert.

When I was a kid our well went dry. It was traumatizing. You'll gain an incredible appreciation for running water if you go down this path. I would suggest against buying a property without a water source.

A friend put it this way: There is nothing worse than if you can't get water into your house, or can't get water or of your house!

 

[Racey]

I'm looking at a home in Cave Creek, AZ that has a propane tank and a water tank. I've done the propane thing before years ago, was not a huge deal, but the water thing is a little concerning. I know nothing about the tank, how it works, what it holds, etc., as we've not seen the home yet. The real estate agent mentioned this past summer they were paying 120.00 a week with the extreme heat.

Great home, but this sounds like a possible pain in the butt.

Does anyone have personal experience with such a scenario?

Thank you

This is a documentary done by the same guys that went to Joel @wash11 farm and did the documentary on him. I actually found this pretty interesting how well this guy is dialed in with no well and no water trucked in.

 

[Bobby V]

"Haul water" is pretty common up here. Many just buy trailers to haul themselves. I run a well and a tank.

My grand parents retired in Landers, CA in the early 70’s and they had to have a water truck bring them water. They had a sign next to the toilet saying to save water dont flush if you go #1. Only if you go #2. I

 

[hman442]

It would be interesting to know why no well. If the previous peeps simply "ran out of money" before they got to the well, and the price is right, and you love the house, a guy could look into having a well drilled. Even if it's an area of low producing wells, but decent water, the well could fill the tank, referred to as a cistern, that the house runs off of. When the tank gets low, the pump kicks on and slowly refills the tank. I assume from the location that the yard doesn't require much water. That's a doable situation, like I said, if it's a great deal, etc.

 

[callbob]

Out on the Navajo res, almost all haul water. There are quite a few places around Cortez 4 corners area that haul water as well. Most have a big tank on a trailer, back of a pickup or there are people that haul water as a business

 

[Luvnlife]

Look into it. We looked at some houses at one time that were haul water and if I remember right at the rate it wasn’t any different than your monthly water bill, but that’s not watering a tropical forest either. Also we looked at a house that the water level dropped below the level of the well and the banks won’t loan on a house that has a well that isn’t producing. This was like ten years ago could be different now.

 

[Wheeler]

My grand parents retired in Landers, CA in the early 70’s and they had to have a water truck bring them water. They had a sign next to the toilet saying to save water dont flush if you go #1. Only if you go #2. I

As I'm sure you knowYorba Linda still has many homes on septic.

 

[SPYLIFE]

I’m a broker in the area and deal with this often. Have local subs for well assessments etc..

You would be wise to do your due diligence before moving forward.

Corey 480-720-7649

Corey- Thanks for the reply. This is a home we're interesting in leasing for a bit first on 28th street off Carefree Hwy. Your clients you've put into homes having to have their water trucked in, do they regret it later?

A satellite view appears to show a large tank on the property, I was thinking this would get extremely hot in the winter, therefore not possible to have even mildly cold water?

Thank you

 

[Javajoe]

Desert Center Fire Station and houses all have water trucked in. First I heard of anything like that.

 

[wallnutz]

Corey- Thanks for the reply. This is a home we're interesting in leasing for a bit first on 28th street off Carefree Hwy. Your clients you've put into homes having to have their water trucked in, do they regret it later?

A satellite view appears to show a large tank on the property, I was thinking this would get extremely hot in the winter, therefore not possible to have even mildly cold water?

Thank you

In that area depending how it was subdivided many homes are on a shared well. It could be the owners had an issue with this or didn't have the cash to pay into it. I can't remember but the county has a rule about how many wells per subdivided acres or at least that is what I remember. We looked at houses 15 years ago up off of 16th St and Cloud that were on a shared well. Each house had their own tank. Some were buried and some above ground. I could be way off base here but that is what I remember.

 

[185EZ]

When we were looking for a home in Williams we found some nice ones with acreage but they were all on septic, propane and haul your own water.
Some people say it's not a big deal but then I looked at the cisterns, pumps, filters, water tank and trailer and decided it wasn't for us.
I've seen people use the rain gutters to collect water too.
It's nice to have all utilities to come home to.

 

[mjc]

My sister lives north of Williams and has water delivered. So far has been no problem. When I looked there water was 10 cents a gallon delivered.

 

[Bobby V]

As I'm sure you knowYorba Linda still has many homes on septic.

Didn’t know that. What part of YL. Near Main Street.?

 

[monkeyswrench]

A satellite view appears to show a large tank on the property, I was thinking this would get extremely hot in the winter, therefore not possible to have even mildly cold water?

The big tanks usually feed a pressure pump, and accumulator tank. The tank has a pressure bladder, that maintains pressure as well as absorbs fluctuations from the pump coming on and turning off. Those are usually in the garage, and the feed lines are underground. We only get in the low 100's, but never warm water issues. I've also seen multiple pressure tanks teed into the system, maintaining more constant Temps.

Remember though, no power, no water. Backup genny is real important if storms are an issue.

 

[Wheeler]

Didn’t know that. What part of YL. Near Main Street.?

Off Avocado for a start.

 

[Wheeler]

This thread reminds me that I need to get back to work on my well pump engine. Being without water sux.

 

[Mikes56]

Didn’t know that. What part of YL. Near Main Street.?

My house is on a septic tank and I can’t tell the difference from when I lived in a house that was connected to the sewer. Don’t be afraid of a house with a septic tank. I just replaced mine with a 15000 gallon cement tank that will last 50 years. The original one was metal and it was collapsing after 25 years.

It’s just my wife and I living in the house, so we’ll get it pumped in 10 years or so. It’s $300ish to pump it.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

If it has a water tank, it should have a well to support it. I have seen a few cases where property owners did have to have water delivered, this was very rare and if this is the case you should walk away. Back when I looked into it a tank full was something like $650/month and the owners would have to ration the water.

If you do buy a property with a well, you should always have some money lying around for the inevitable pump going out. It will happen and will happen at the worst possible time.

It is extremely common in CC/Rio verde….

I'm looking at a home in Cave Creek, AZ that has a propane tank and a water tank. I've done the propane thing before years ago, was not a huge deal, but the water thing is a little concerning. I know nothing about the tank, how it works, what it holds, etc., as we've not seen the home yet. The real estate agent mentioned this past summer they were paying 120.00 a week with the extreme heat.

Great home, but this sounds like a possible pain in the butt.

Does anyone have personal experience with such a scenario?

Thank you

Research what happened when Scottsdale cut off the tap for the water haulers prices skyrocketed to the thousands. While that is temporarily fixed we have passed on every single home that didn’t have a well and I wouldn’t buy one that doesn’t in this area (unless it has city water) It’s a hot button issue out here. We have city water…and it’s the highest bill most months except the summer power bill for us.

 

[185EZ]

Our water base in Williams is $5
We are there part time and used 523 gallons for $4.04
Sewer $45

 

[2Driver]

I’m a broker in the area and deal with this often. Have local subs for well assessments etc..

You would be wise to do your due diligence before moving forward.

Corey 480-720-7649

Yeah for sure, check it out. Why not on CC water and if not why didn’t they dig a well and can you if you wanted to.

I have 2 friends in Cave Creek on CC city water but did wells just to be self sufficient. There shouldn’t be an issue doing a well in CC. Perhaps the owner just didn’t want to do it or spend the money. The whole subdivision where Dilligaf lived was all hauled water up until recently. With the cost of trucking now I can’t image how much that would cost you and would assume the agent is low balling that cost. Sounds like a home value killer to me.

Is this in Cave Creek limits or county? We are in Carefree on 5+ acres and a pool and our average bill is for carefree water is around $150 a month

 

[Wheeler]

My house is on a septic tank and I can’t tell the difference from when I lived in a house that was connected to the sewer. Don’t be afraid of a house with a septic tank. I just replaced mine with a 15000 gallon cement tank that will last 50 years. The original one was metal and it was collapsing after 25 years.

It’s just my wife and I living in the house, so we’ll get it pumped in 10 years or so. It’s $300ish to pump it.

Why would you need 15,000 gal. capacity? unless it's typo. I have 25k water storage but not near that for septic.

 

[kurtis500]

I'm looking at a home in Cave Creek, AZ that has a propane tank and a water tank. I've done the propane thing before years ago, was not a huge deal, but the water thing is a little concerning. I know nothing about the tank, how it works, what it holds, etc., as we've not seen the home yet. The real estate agent mentioned this past summer they were paying 120.00 a week with the extreme heat.

Great home, but this sounds like a possible pain in the butt.

Does anyone have personal experience with such a scenario?

Thank you

You must be up in the Rio Verde Drive area looking?? I was up there last week since we are thinking about selling our central Phx home and moving up there. Looked at a home in Troon north too, very nice area just no room to store anything on your property.
If you're looking up in that area some are wells and some hauled service. It will be on the MLS sheet Im told. I like the area a lot but its a loooong way from the airport. I still may do it before next year.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Why would you need 15,000 gal. capacity? unless it's typo. I have 25k water storage but not near that for septic.

I was thinking that as well. Our house out here is 1200g. County, here, minimum (guest house and such) was 700g.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Is this in Cave Creek limits or county? We are in Carefree on 5+ acres and a pool and our average bill is for carefree water is around $150 a month

Ours in Cc is $180ish like clockwork

 

[2Driver]

Why would you need 15,000 gal. capacity? unless it's typo. I have 25k water storage but not near that for septic.

Has to be 1,500 unless he owns a hotel …..…

The sheriff is near.

 

[Wheeler]

@DRIVE BYE

 

[2Driver]

Here’s one that appears to be going to auction. Just popped up today. Don’t know anything about it or the auction.

43 E Desert Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85086 | Zillow

This 3058 square feet Single Family home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It is located at 43 E Desert Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ.

www.zillow.com

 

[SPYLIFE]

Is this in Cave Creek limits or county? We are in Carefree on 5+ acres and a pool and our average bill is for carefree water is around $150 a month

The home is off Carefree Hwy past Home D. (near the Cave Creek Regional Park) It was built in '04 and I have no idea the reason why it has no water source. It also has a pool to deal with. We're not a giant a family, just my girlfriend and myself. If it's just a matter of checking a gauge every so often and making a phone call to have a delivery I don't see the big issue, but I know less than nothing about these things. Were we to purchase the home down the road, then 100% I would have a well drilled.

As Cdog mentioned prior, using this as leverage. The home meets all our wants, it's been sitting for a while unleased, so I was hoping to use this situation as some leverage to get the price down some. I just don't want to get into a headache though. I don't want to feel like I'm in a situation where I want to wash the car, but we need to conserve water type of thing.

 

[Mikes56]

Why would you need 15,000 gal. capacity? unless it's typo. I have 25k water storage but not near that for septic.

I may have my wires crossed, sorry.

It said 15,000 painted in the side of the tank. Maybe that’s the weight of the cement tank? It took a small crane to lift it up and put it in the hole in my front yard.


My new tank is sized for a 5 bedroom house, whatever that size is.

 

[Wheeler]

I may have my wires crossed, sorry.

It said 15,000 painted in the side of the tank. Maybe that’s the weight of the cement tank? It took a small crane to lift it up and put it in the hole in my front yard.

I don't much of anything about septic other than I have one so I had to ask. Thanks!

 

[Mikes56]

Okay I just looked at my pics. It’s 1500 gallons and 15,700 lbs in weight.

 

[HNL2LHC]

My in-laws had property near Peach Springs. No water. They had a tank that they filled as needed. FIL had a tanker truck that came from a construction company in CA and not registered. There was an old pumping station near the trail tracks and they could get water there for next to nothing. It worked for the until they were too old and then they moved to Kingman. Best of luck in your home search.

 

[ChumpChange]

My grand parents retired in Landers, CA in the early 70’s and they had to have a water truck bring them water. They had a sign next to the toilet saying to save water dont flush if you go #1. Only if you go #2. I

If it’s yellow let it mellow. If it’s brown flush it down.

 

[evantwheeler]

I don't want to feel like I'm in a situation where I want to wash the car, but we need to conserve water type of thing.

It sounds like you should have a place with supplied water. The only way i’d live or or buy a house without water would be if it was stupid, stupid cheap. Definitely price out a well. Find the oldest guy thats still running a company that has lots of knowledge of the area. A guy i bought some parts from down in Escondido paid $80k for his new well and pump after his old went dry

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Spylife do some research and seeif you can drill your own well on that property, and then ask around and see what the water table is like...how deep, quality of water, etc. We have been on a well here at our place for better than 40 years, no issues, good water. No water bill for household water, we don't use it to irrigate..we by raw water for that. (rural nor Cal)
When I worked for a driller many moons ago the number that people had to have to get a bank to loan for construction was 3 gallons a minute. /if you think about it, 3 gallons a minute is 180 gallons an hour. I know lots of folks doing fine on that. Less, and we installed a storage tank.
A good well, making 5 or more gallons an hour would be what I would want. I would find out how deep they drilled, when they hit bedrock, (if ever) and where the water came in...
Septic is also OK... a good system, 1500 gallon tank, good leach field and people who know how to not abuse the system (nasty things down the tank, etc...) and you will be fine. If in your area you can run the gray water past the tank into the leach field do so...
Trucking water in can work...but I would really educate myself on that deal..

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well cost up here in Prescott Valley has been roughly 20k for drilling, casing, pipe and pump. A bit more to bring water to home, and power to well head. Average depth here is about 250-300ft.

FWIW, my house is on septic, and well is only producing 3.5 or so. Family of 5, and no septic issues for 10+ years. The well doesn't do much irrigation, but did fine with horses in addition to all of us.

Hauling is fine with no irrigation. The problem will be figuring usage and fill timing. Some counties have different rules on irrigating with gray water, as well as rain water runoff and storage.

And yes, an old timer that drills the area will be your best source. Some of those guys know things that amaze me. Seen them tell a neighbor they wouldn't drill "here", where the customer wanted for a esthetics, and point to a place on the lot and say "that's your best shot"

 

[prorider]

The home is off Carefree Hwy past Home D. (near the Cave Creek Regional Park) It was built in '04 and I have no idea the reason why it has no water source. It also has a pool to deal with. We're not a giant a family, just my girlfriend and myself. If it's just a matter of checking a gauge every so often and making a phone call to have a delivery I don't see the big issue, but I know less than nothing about these things. Were we to purchase the home down the road, then 100% I would have a well drilled.

As Cdog mentioned prior, using this as leverage. The home meets all our wants, it's been sitting for a while unleased, so I was hoping to use this situation as some leverage to get the price down some. I just don't want to get into a headache though. I don't want to feel like I'm in a situation where I want to wash the car, but we need to conserve water type of thing.

You’re not going to want to waste water washing the car. And if a toilet sticks you wake up with no water,and no shower. It’s a real pain in the ass. Been there done that and never again.

 

[Cdog]

Corey- Thanks for the reply. This is a home we're interesting in leasing for a bit first on 28th street off Carefree Hwy. Your clients you've put into homes having to have their water trucked in, do they regret it later?

A satellite view appears to show a large tank on the property, I was thinking this would get extremely hot in the winter, therefore not possible to have even mildly cold water?

Thank you

Sorry I was in the garage all day working on my race car.

Most folks opt for a well. Getting with the drillers to get an idea would be my first move. Then a septic test. PM me the address and I'll dig into it a bit.

 

[Ricks raft]

I looked at beautiful new custom house in Newcastle close to the ramp at Rattlesnake Bar at Folsom Lake. The well recovered at a rate of 5 gallons a minute at a depth of about 300 ft. I passed because of it.

Why? Typical family can comfortably live with 2-3 gpm. Our area 300’ is probably below average, many over 500’.

 

[Markus]

It also has a pool to deal with.

Are you sure it does not have municipal water?

There are high-end communities in the Bay Area where most everyone has a huge water tank and a pump providing water to the house.

The reason is that the price you pay for water depends on the size of the connection to municipal water. The tank setup allows for a small connection. When you use a lot of water, you run down the tank a bit, and it is then slowly refilled.

 

[Cdog]

Listing says hauled water. Current owner is 3rd owner who bought during covid. Current owner will plead ignorance and will leave any due diligence up to buyer/tenant.

The only breadcrumbs I see is a cheap out of touch owner likely in a nosedive in value for both sale price & lease. He bought during a multiple offer situation. The home was listed for 1.1M and was countered up to 1.2M in 2020.

I found an Invoice from 2020 for well equipment for 26k. This doesn't include the drilling.