Dreaming of a quiet home on acreage in Solano County? Rural living can be rewarding, but wells, septic systems, and flood zones shape what you can buy, how you finance it, and how you care for it. If you know what to check early, you can avoid costly surprises and move forward with confidence. This guide gives you the key rules, tests, and timelines to make smart choices in rural Solano. Let’s dive in.
Wells in Solano: what to know
Private wells power many rural homes. In Solano County, wells must meet county and state technical standards, and as a buyer you are responsible for water quality and maintenance after closing.
Permits, standards and setbacks
Solano County adopts California’s well standards and requires permits, site plans, and inspections for well work. You will see rules on placement, sanitary seals, and setbacks from septic systems and property lines in the county code. Review the county’s Well Standards chapter for specifics on permits, setbacks, and destruction procedures: Solano County Well Standards. For statewide technical guidance, see the Department of Water Resources overview of California Well Standards.
Water quality to test
Private wells are not regulated like public water systems. You should plan to test and maintain water quality. The State Water Board’s GAMA program explains what to test and how to use a certified lab. Start with total coliform and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic, basic inorganics, TDS, and pH, then add any locally relevant tests based on site history. See the State’s guidance for domestic well owners: GAMA well owner resources.
In Delta‑adjacent areas that include parts of Solano County, a recent regional analysis of 2018 to 2022 sampling found about 11 percent of tested domestic and municipal wells exceeded nitrate health benchmarks and about 32 percent exceeded arsenic benchmarks. Plan to test for nitrate and arsenic on any rural property that relies on a well.
Buyer well checklist
- Request the well permit history and any well completion report on file. DWR receives well completion reports from drillers, and the county may have copies.
- Order a certified lab test for bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, TDS, pH, and any site‑specific risks noted by your inspector or county.
- Ask a licensed well or pump contractor to inspect visible components and perform a yield test if supply is a concern.
- Confirm setbacks between the well and septic leachfield meet county standards.
After floods: well safety
If a well is ever submerged, treat it as potentially contaminated. Do not use the water until a qualified professional inspects it, electrical hazards are cleared, the system is disinfected, and lab tests confirm it is safe. Follow step‑by‑step guidance on disinfection after an emergency from the CDC: how to disinfect a well.
Septic systems: rules and checks
Most rural Solano homes use on‑site sewage systems. The county permits new installations, repairs, replacements, and expansions under local sewage standards.
County permits and reviews
The Solano County Environmental Health team administers the Onsite Sewage Disposal Program and enforces the county’s standards for design, setbacks, and inspections. Many projects require a site evaluation for soils, groundwater depth, slope, and a designated replacement area. See the county program page for contacts and procedures: Onsite Sewage Disposal Program. For technical rules on design flows, tank sizing, effluent filters, and installation in areas with shallow groundwater, review Solano County Sewage Standards.
What to inspect before buying
- Ask for septic permits, as‑built plans, and repair records.
- Hire a licensed pumper to pump the tank and inspect baffles, structural condition, and absorption field performance.
- Verify a suitable replacement area exists on the parcel and is free of conflicts with wells, waterways, or floodways.
- Confirm there are no unpermitted additions or past failures that could trigger a required upgrade.
Plans to add bedrooms
If you plan to add bedrooms or increase wastewater flows, the county will require an evaluation and may require enlargement or replacement of the system to meet current standards. Start the conversation with Environmental Health early so your remodel timeline aligns with septic approvals. See the county’s design and expansion rules in the Sewage Standards.
Flood risk and maps
Flood risk in Solano blends FEMA mapping with local levee realities in the Delta and Suisun Marsh. Your flood zone can affect insurance and lending.
FEMA zones and insurance
Check your parcel on FEMA’s Map Service Center to see if it is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, such as Zone A or AE. If you use a federally backed mortgage and the home is in an SFHA, lenders typically require flood insurance. Start with the FEMA Map Service Center and ask the seller for any elevation certificate. The county also enforces a Flood Damage Prevention ordinance that guides building in mapped floodplains: Solano County floodplain management.
Levees and long‑term risk
Parts of Solano rely on levees for protection, including tracts near the Delta and Suisun Marsh. State priorities influence which levees receive funding and upgrades over time, which affects long‑term exposure and insurability. For the policy context and risk prioritization, review the Delta Levees Investment Strategy.
Your due diligence timeline
Use this simple order to keep your contingencies on track:
- Request well and septic records from the seller. If missing, check with the county’s Onsite Sewage Disposal Program.
- Order a certified water test for bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, TDS, and pH following GAMA well owner guidance.
- Schedule a septic pump‑out and inspection. Verify a replacement area.
- Bring in a licensed well or pump contractor for a visual check and a yield test if needed.
- Check FEMA maps for flood zones and get a preliminary flood insurance quote if the parcel is in an SFHA using the FEMA Map Service Center.
- If in a leveed area or Suisun Marsh, review levee status and priorities via the Delta Levees Investment Strategy.
- If the property has seen flooding, follow CDC steps before using the well and retest water after disinfection: well disinfection after emergencies.
When issues appear: next steps
- Water quality exceedances. Many buyers install certified point‑of‑use or point‑of‑entry treatment for contaminants like nitrate or arsenic. In some cases, a new or deeper well or a connection to public water may be needed where feasible. Start with the State’s GAMA guidance to set test priorities and treatment discussions.
- Septic capacity or failure. If a system fails inspection or lacks a replacement area, expect design review under the county’s Sewage Standards. Replacement can be costly and site‑specific.
- Flood insurance and closing. Properties in SFHAs usually trigger lender flood insurance requirements, which can affect loan approval and timelines. Verify maps early via the FEMA Map Service Center.
Local contacts and records
Solano County Environmental Health — Technical Services, 675 Texas Street, Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533. Main: 707‑784‑6765. Technical Services: 707‑784‑1636. Email: [email protected]. Program info and links: Onsite Sewage Disposal Program.
Ready to explore rural Solano with confidence? A local, risk‑aware process helps you protect your budget and your long‑term plans. If you want a clear path from offer to close and help coordinating due diligence, reach out to Merge Real Estate to get started.
FAQs
Which water tests are essential for rural Solano wells?
- Start with total coliform and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic, TDS, and pH, and add site‑specific tests per the State’s GAMA well owner guidance; regional data also shows elevated nitrate and arsenic in some Delta‑adjacent wells per a recent analysis.
How do septic permits work when buying in Solano County?
- The county permits installation, repair, replacement, and expansion, often after a site evaluation for soils, groundwater, setbacks, and a replacement area; see the Onsite Sewage Disposal Program and Sewage Standards.
Will my lender require flood insurance in Solano County?
- If the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you use a federally backed mortgage, lenders usually require flood insurance; check your parcel on the FEMA Map Service Center.
What is a well completion report and why it matters?
- It documents how a well was constructed, including depth and casing details; drillers submit these to the state, and the record can help your inspector evaluate supply and construction quality under California Well Standards.
What should you do if your well or septic floods?
- Do not use the water or the system until a qualified professional inspects it; disinfect the well and retest following CDC guidance, and contact the county for local instructions.