Water Quality Test
A potable water test report is required for all CMHC insured mortgages. Drinking water should be tested for the bacteriological quality of well water every six months. The chemical quality of well water should be tested every-one to two years, or earlier if you notice any changes in clarity, color, taste or odor. Water Quality Test includes:
- Total Coliform & E. Coli + Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Hardness, Lead, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, pH, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium and Zinc
Costs of Home Buyers Water Testing Package with a 7 Business Day result turn-around: $165+HST
Costs of Home Buyers Water Testing Package with a 3 Business Day result turn-around: $255+HST
Well Quantity Recovery or Flow Test
An average household of two to four people will use about 680 to 1360 litres (150 to 300 gallons) each day. Homes with greater-than average demands will need more.
Well recovery or flow tests determine the quantity of water available from a well. This is determined by a combination of well depth, pump setting, static water level, estimated well yield, available storage, and pump characteristics. Well Quantity Recovery or Flow Test include:
For accessible drilled wells in which the cap can be removed:
- Pump the well at a rate of 18 to 20 litres per minute (4.0 to 4.4 gallons per minute) for at least one hour. Measure water levels before and during the pump test.
- Turn the pump off and measure water levels for at least 30 minutes during the recovery period.
For inaccessible drilled wells in which the cap is buried or the wellhead is inaccessible:
- Pump the well at a rate of 18 to 20 litres per minute (4.0 to 4.4 gallons per minute) for at least
one hour. Wait 24 hours. - Pump the well again at a rate of 18 to 20 litres per minute (4.0 to 4.4 gallons per minute).
Cost of Recovery/ Flow Test: $300 + hst
Septic Inspection
The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission recommends that home buyers have a septic system inspected prior to finalizing a sale on a property. This inspection may help protect against future unexpected costs. Septic Inspections include:
- Camera inspection through an exposed clean out pipe that runs from the home to the tank.
- Inspection of septic tank.
- Camera inspection from the tank to the field through an exposed outlet hatch.
- Complete hydraulic load and tracer dye test.
For this testing to be completed, the tank needs to be exposed completely.
Cost of full septic inspections: $350 + hst
City Sewer Inspection
Halifax Water instructs any pipe that is found to be damaged, leaking, deteriorating, or constructed with “no-corrode” pipe must be replaced. The section of the pipe on the private side of the property line is the responsibility of the property owner. City Sewer Inspection includes:
- Camera inspection through an exposed clean out. Or a lower level toilet (without lift pump) removed prior to inspection, if no cleanout pipe available.
- Report pipe condition.
- Backflow valve verification.
Cost of City Sewer Inspection: $250 + HST
*Travel fees over one hour may apply.