Hi there.
It's been a while since I wrote....over a year.
Here's what's happened.
1-We LOST our case against the well company 2--the ones that broke the well that was in place (paid out $11,000 for previous work and piping, then $5600 on a water filtration system on that hole) then left and charged us $8,000. Our lawyer called us in to talk to us about our options. He said we had a really good case and we should, appeal, but he no longer wanted to be our lawyer. He didn't wan to drive the hour to the courts. We walked out of the office and I burst out laughing. Roberto looked at me like I was nuts. I just couldn't believe that we are held liable for all the damage done to our property, have to pay or hire a new lawyer to fight it more. We said screw it and said we will just go on a payment plan so we are currently paying them $100/mo. I wanted to put a nice solid FU in the memo each month we send the check. (I learned PUP--Paying Under Protest-- is a way we can give the company a piece of our mind but being protected by law. A lawyer friend, Kim, told us about it. Roberto hasn't taken up that right just yet--I think he is much more laid back than I am. :)
We still do not have a well. Water is still being delivered ever 10 weeks at about $130/month. We've never run out yet but we came close when the water company just didn't come one day in the fall. It was tight. Our well guys didn't come out in the Spring. They are our only saving grace so we can't be pushy...besides...trying to get water on our property has cost about $50,000 so we don't have any money to really troubleshoot anything or dig a new well.
One night I popped up because I had a dream....(nothing like the historical MLK, but a dream to say the least) that something was up with the land. We've had some significant settlement all around our house....some areas around the house were 5-7 feet deep, boulders appearing to be tipping. I couldn't shake it. I was up all night thinking about it. I started doing some research on the geology of our area and I got on the phone with anyone that would talk to me. I emailed the EPA, I spoke with a really great guy at DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), PA Sr. Geologist, the Fry's Run Watershed, the zoning officer, the contractor, the environmental engineers...you name it I called them. My concern was the water recharging basin on our property, that was 20 feet from the well that worked. What I found online was that with certain geologies, like limestone, you should disrupt the land as little as possible, and refrain from installing infiltration basis because you are at a higher risk of sink holes...guess what....we had that--our house was built in an area of limestone and we had a water infiltration basin--AND--there was a sinkhole in our cul-de-sac before we started construction. The cul-de-sac is at the base of our property.
I thought....since we had this infiltration basin, 20 feet from our well(should be 50 feet), and was positioned lower than the well, that when the rainwater recharged it broke up and/or dissolved some of the limestone which is what collapsed the well. I felt like I had it...I felt like that was it. From what I read, this basin should have never been put on our property (several thousands in cost by us) and they made this a blanket law without investigating each property like they should have. They didn't do their due diligence and the risk is put on the homeowner. I could not get one person to wholeheartedly say, yes, it could be it. They all danced around the answer yes and most said to fill in the basin. I am frustrated for sure. I need #HolmesonHomes, #Geologystudents, #Amiracle...someone that will do research on our property and tell us what's up. I feel like I'm right...if I spend thousands I could be told if I am...yeah, cause we have thousands laying around...
Since then we added sink-hole insurance to our policy. Better safe than sorry--We spend all this money on a brand new house, thinking building will get us out of the problems you would have when you buy a "used" house....boy that couldn't be any further from the truth. We've had more problems here than we did in our townhouse. I am just hopeful that the days of rest, peace and mind at ease comes sooner rather than later. It is very discouraging to have this weigh on you day in and day out. I wish there was something or someone that could help us.
Until then, I will have my days where I want to have a pitty party for myself (like today)--but most days I can realize how blessed I am. If anyone can help, please reach out...please!
