DIY guideWater supply
Well or city water? How to tell
A water bill and a meter mean city water; a wellhead in the yard and a pressure tank in the basement mean a well.
- 10 to 20 min
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A water bill from your town means city water. No water bill usually means a well.
In the basement, find the pipe coming in through the floor or wall. A meter on it, with a dial, means city water.
A tall blue or grey tank by that pipe, with a gauge and a small switch box: that's a well's pressure tank.
In the yard, look for a capped pipe standing up out of the ground, often near the house. That's the well.
Nobody tests a well's water for you. Test it once a year with a lab's kit, and after a flood.
No water, taps spitting air, or the switch clicking on and off: ask Handyman for a well pro. The pump and tank are a pro's.
What you need
- A flashlight
Call a pro if
- No water, or very low pressure
- Taps spit air, or the water turns cloudy or smells
- The pressure switch clicks on and off quickly
Handyman says: No water? I'll find a well pro.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
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