Posted by Luke Bouman on Saturday, September 5th, 2026 9:00am.
By Luke Bouman | Luke Bouman Real Estate Team | September 2026
Plenty of West Michigan properties, especially rural parcels and some lakeshore homes, run on private well and septic rather than municipal water and sewer. For buyers used to city utilities, this is unfamiliar territory. Here is what you need to know.
A private well draws your water from the ground on your property, and a septic system treats wastewater on site rather than sending it to a municipal plant. Both are your responsibility to maintain and eventually replace. There is no monthly water bill, which is a genuine benefit, but there is maintenance and eventual capital cost.
Never skip these. Have the well tested for water quality, including bacteria and nitrates, and for flow rate to confirm it produces enough water. Have the septic system inspected and the tank pumped so the inspector can assess the tank and the drain field. Ask for maintenance records and the age of both systems. A failing drain field is one of the most expensive surprises in rural real estate, so this inspection is not optional.
Septic systems generally need pumping every few years and last a few decades before replacement, which can run many thousands of dollars. Wells last a long time but pumps fail and eventually need replacing. Budget for maintenance and know the age of what you are buying, since inheriting a system near end of life changes your math considerably.
On lakeshore and low-lying parcels, high water tables can complicate septic performance and permitting. If you are buying near water and the property is on septic, this deserves particular attention. On vacant land, a percolation test determines whether a septic system is even feasible. The Lakeshore's most reviewed real estate team. Call (616) 344-9923.
Related: Home Inspection Walkthrough | Buying Land to Build | Coopersville and NW Ottawa