source:
  type: guide
  id: va-m26-7-ch12-t16
  authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12, Topic 16 — Individual
    Water Supply
  description: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12, Topic 16 — Individual
    Water Supply.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: va-m26-7-ch12-t16-full
  canonical_id: va-m26-7-ch12-t16-full
  section: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12, Topic 16 — Individual
    Water Supply
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - va
  - va-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12, Topic 16 — Individual
      Water Supply
    source_class: va-handbook
    source_url: https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp
    snapshot_id: 824171a914866a59
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:53:53Z'
    content_hash: sha256:71efd8bb39bb5596ad194f1b13e6f979cfa1afbf5566e897e26836fc1ab0429e
    paragraph_quote: '16. Individual Water Supply Change Date March 28, 2019 • This
      chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Health Authority Requirements Water
      quality for an individual water supply must meet the requirements of the health
      authority having jurisdiction. If the local authority does not have specific
      requirements, the guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency
      (EPA) will apply. Additional information is available at the following websites:
      https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/private-drinking- water-well-programs-your-state
      and https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/testing.html. b.
      Third Party Testing All testing must be performed by a disinterested third party.
      This includes collecting and transporting the water sample from the water supply
      source. The sample may be collected and tested by the local health authority,
      a commercial testing laboratory, a licensed sanitary engineer, or other party
      that is acceptable to the local health authority. At no time will the Veteran
      or other interested party collect and/or transport the sample. c. Conditions
      Requiring a Veteran’s Signed Statement The appraiser must comment in the appraisal
      and the Veteran must acknowledge awareness in writing when the water to the
      property is: • supplied by dug wells, cisterns, or holding tanks used in conjunction
      with water purchased and hauled to the site, • provided with a mechanical chlorinator,
      • provided through springs, lakes, rivers, sand-point or artesian wells, or
      • supplied with a rainwater catchment system. d. Water Filtration System If
      the property has a water filtration system, the Veteran must acknowledge in
      writing that the water must be continuously treated as required by the local
      health authority to be considered safe for human consumption and for this to
      be effective, the system must be inspected and maintained to include filter
      replacements per the manufacturers’ recommendations. Continued on next page
      VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 12: Minimum Property Requirements 12-23 16.
      Individual Water Supply, continued e. Distance Requirements The appraiser must
      be familiar with the minimum distance requirements between private wells and
      sources of pollution. The appraiser is not required to sketch or note distances
      between the well, property lines, septic tanks, drain fields, or building structures.
      f. Testing Validity Period Water quality test results are valid for 90 days
      from the date certified by the local health authority unless the local authority
      indicates otherwise. g. Connection Mandated by a Local Authority If public water
      is available and the local authority mandates connection, connection is required
      (see Topic 16 of this Chapter). VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 12: Minimum
      Property Requirements 12-24'
  judgment: false
