Wells & Septic Systems in Chelan & Douglas Counties
Quick answer: Many rural homes near Wenatchee use a private well and a septic system. Before you buy, pull the well report, test the water, and have the septic system located and inspected by qualified professionals.
Wells
- Find the well report. Ecology's well reports include location, owner, driller and how much water the well produces. Search them with the Well Report Viewer. (Ecology: Wells)
- Drilling a new well. A notice of intent must be filed with Ecology 72 hours before a well is drilled, usually by the licensed driller. A notice of intent is not a water right. (Ecology: Wells)
- Check local rules first. Ecology advises checking with your local permitting agency, since some areas require extra fees or connection to a public water supplier. (Ecology, Chelan County Community Development)
- Test the water. See Ecology's well water testing page.
- Old wells. Abandoned wells should be decommissioned by a licensed driller. (Ecology)
Septic (on-site sewage) systems
- A septic system is an underground treatment system that you own and operate. Routine maintenance costs far less than repair or replacement. (WA Department of Health: Septic systems)
- Your local health agency can help locate a system and list certified pumpers. Locally that's the Chelan-Douglas Health District. (DOH)
- A failing system can lower property value and create legal liability. (DOH) See DOH's signs of septic failure and hiring a septic professional.
Related: Water rights · Buying land and acreage
Verify with professionals. This is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and every parcel is different. Confirm details with the Department of Ecology, the Chelan-Douglas Health District, the county, a water-rights attorney or a licensed well driller or septic designer before you buy.
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