You’re ready to buy that beautiful acreage in the country — but wait: What about water? If there’s an existing well or spring, how do you determine the quality and quantity of water it delivers? Might your rural water supply be affected by a drought, a flood, a nearby chemical dump, or previous applications of fertilizers and pesticides? These and other problems frequently faced by folks far from municipal water supplies are discussed in Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner, an informative 37-page booklet available free of charge from the U.S. Geological Survey, Books and Open-File Reports Section.
Evaluating Your Rural Water Supply

ILLUSTRATION: MATTHEW COLE/FOTOLIA
Whether it comes from a stream, a spring, or a well, you want and need to know if your rural water supply is safe.