Pre‑List Checklist: Septic, Well and Water Quality

Buyers in Greenwich look closely at water quality and septic health. If your home has a private well or onsite septic, a little preparation can build confidence, prevent delays, and help you negotiate from a position of strength. This guide gives you a simple, seller‑friendly checklist backed by Connecticut public health guidance and local resources. Let’s dive in.

Start with records

Gather the documents buyers and lenders ask for most. Having them ready signals that your home is well cared for and speeds diligence.

• As‑built septic plan and Permit to Discharge
• Septic pump‑out and service records
• Any septic repair or upgrade permits and prior inspection reports
• Well construction records and prior water test results
• Documentation on any treatment systems, such as softeners, UV, or reverse osmosis

You can request as‑built septic plans, permits, and guidance from the Town of Greenwich Division of Environmental Services. The town’s page on additions for septic‑served properties explains how to obtain records and who to contact at the Health Department. Visit the town’s guidance on additions when property is on septic for details and office contacts at Town Hall. You can start with the town’s page on additions when property is on septic.

Test your well the right way

Connecticut does not require testing of every existing private well at sale. That said, many lenders do require it, and buyers expect recent results. The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends routine testing and clear documentation for home sales.

What to test

At minimum, order a basic potability panel. The state and federal public health agencies recommend these core indicators.

• Total coliform bacteria
• Nitrate and nitrite
• pH
• Total dissolved solids (TDS)
• Turbidity

Consider adding one‑time or periodic tests that are commonly requested in Connecticut. The state recommends several of these at least once, with follow‑up based on results and risk.

• Lead, with first‑draw and flushed samples
• Arsenic and uranium
• Radon in water
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Sodium and chloride
• Iron and manganese, plus hardness
• PFAS if near known risk sources

See the state’s recommended panels and frequency on the CT DPH Private Well Water Program.

How to test and report

Use a Connecticut‑certified laboratory and follow the lab’s sampling instructions exactly. Ask for chain‑of‑custody forms and mark that the sample is in connection with a property sale if that applies. When a sale‑related test is done within six months of transfer, labs must report results to the local health authority and the state DPH. Connecticut also requires sellers to notify buyers that DPH educational materials about well testing are available. For a clear summary of these rules, see the state’s overview of private well testing and reporting at time of sale from the Connecticut General Assembly.

When to sample

Public health agencies recommend annual testing for bacteria and nitrates, with additional tests based on risk. Sampling after heavy rain or system work can be helpful. For a sale, many buyers and lenders prefer results from the last 30 to 90 days, so plan your timing and keep copies for your file. See federal guidance on well testing intervals from the CDC and the homeowner tips from the EPA.

Inspect and service your septic

Local health departments enforce Connecticut’s septic rules, and Greenwich maintains system records and provides guidance. A proactive service visit can surface small issues before they become negotiations.

• Locate the tank, distribution box, and leaching area using the as‑built plan
• Pump the tank if it has not been serviced within the typical 3 to 5 year interval
• Hire a qualified septic professional to evaluate lids, baffles, alarms, and signs of failure
• Keep all receipts and inspection summaries for the buyer package

Technical standards, inspection forms, and program details are available through the state’s subsurface sewage program at the CT DPH Environmental Engineering page.

Planning changes on a septic lot

If buyers ask about adding bedrooms, a pool, or other structures, the reserve area can matter. Connecticut’s B100a rules require that a suitable replacement area be preserved for many additions on septic‑served lots. Direct buyers to your existing site records and suggest they consult Greenwich’s Environmental Services team. More information on additions is on the Town of Greenwich page and in the state septic program materials at CT DPH.

If inspection finds issues

Visible failure, backups, or surface discharge are public health concerns. Local health departments have authority to require repairs and issue permits. If inspection flags a problem, consult the Greenwich Health Department and obtain contractor quotes early so you can decide how to address it. Program guidance is available at CT DPH Environmental Engineering.

Action plan for Greenwich sellers

Follow this simple sequence so you are ready before the first showing.

1. Documents: Request your as‑built septic plan, Permit to Discharge, and any available well and septic records from Greenwich’s Division of Environmental Services. Bring your address and owner info. Start here: Town of Greenwich septic guidance.

2. Septic housekeeping: If pump‑out history is unknown or older than 3 to 5 years, schedule a pump and inspection. Keep receipts and a brief written summary.

3. Well testing: Order a basic potability panel and add state‑recommended tests that fit your property. Use a CT‑certified lab, complete chain‑of‑custody, and time sampling to satisfy buyer and lender windows. See test guidance at CT DPH Private Well Water Program.

4. Disclose and document: Share lab reports, chain‑of‑custody pages, pump‑out receipts, and permits with buyers. If a test shows a problem, consult the Health Department and your agent promptly. The EPA homeowner guide offers helpful steps.

5. Get quotes early: If tests or inspections suggest repairs, obtain contractor or engineer estimates and discuss timelines with your buyer.

What buyers and lenders expect

Even without a blanket statewide mandate, mortgage lenders often require well testing, and buyers commonly request septic inspections during diligence. Plan for these requests and align your sampling dates with expected closing timelines. For a summary of Connecticut practice, see the state’s overview of private well testing and reporting at time of sale.

Make your listing buyer‑ready

Package your environmental records so they are easy to review. Clear, complete documentation builds trust.

• Cover sheet that lists test dates, lab name, and parameters tested
• Well lab reports with chain‑of‑custody pages
• Septic pump‑out receipt and inspection summary
• As‑built septic plan and Permit to Discharge
• Any repair permits or engineer letters

Local Greenwich resources

The Greenwich Health Department maintains septic records and can guide you on reserve areas and additions. The town lab offers well water and radon testing kits, with periodic discounts announced by the town. For background on recent town testing events, see local reporting on Greenwich’s radon test kit program. For records and septic guidance, start with the Town of Greenwich Environmental Services page.

Ready to list with confidence and concierge‑level support across the details that matter to buyers and lenders? Connect with BARNES New York to prepare a polished, buyer‑ready presentation of your Greenwich home.

FAQs

Is private well testing required to sell a home in Connecticut?

• Connecticut does not mandate testing of every existing private well at sale, but labs must report results when tests are done for a sale within six months, and sellers must notify buyers that DPH educational materials are available; lenders often require testing, as summarized by the Connecticut General Assembly.

Do you need a septic inspection before listing in Greenwich?

• There is no single statewide time‑of‑transfer inspection rule, but local health departments enforce septic codes, and many sellers proactively service and inspect because buyers and lenders expect it; see the state septic program at CT DPH Environmental Engineering.

What well water tests should Greenwich sellers include?

• Start with total coliform bacteria, nitrate and nitrite, pH, TDS, and turbidity, then add lead, arsenic, uranium, radon in water, and VOCs based on state guidance from the CT DPH Private Well Water Program.

When should you collect a sale‑related water sample?

• Many buyers and lenders prefer results within 30 to 90 days of closing; public health agencies also recommend annual testing for bacteria and nitrates, with timing tips from the CDC.

Who enforces repairs for failing septic systems in Greenwich?

• Local health departments have authority to require repairs and issue permits when there is a public health nuisance; program details are available at CT DPH Environmental Engineering.