The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: Diesel41 on September 08, 2014, 09:06:11 pm

Title: We have a well
Post by: Diesel41 on September 08, 2014, 09:06:11 pm

Just discovered under a manhole cover on the smallholding we are renting, that we have a well. The water looks clear and there's lots of it. He drop is about 15 feet. I'd like to get at the water for livestock(after testing of course) and for grey water for loos and watering vegetables.
Any suggestions for a low cost method of getting the water up?

Title: Re: We have a well
Post by: pgkevet on September 08, 2014, 09:20:12 pm

Bucket and a rope or a pump. 15 foot lift is still within simple suction pump (to 32 feet) rather than a force pump so if you want to go manual then those pumps that fit on oil drums are cheap enough and pump volume quite well (sorry for that pun). If you have handy leccy then plenty of cheapish pumps about.

Title: Re: We have a well
Post by: cloddopper on September 10, 2014, 01:52:36 am

How far from the dwelling is the manhole.?
 I ask because it used to be ( still is ?) a common thing when mains water began being piped to old rain water well served properties for their new fangled water flush toilets to be diverted into an old brick built mortar lined rainwater bottle well , if there was no mains drainage .

There would like as not be a seepage /outlet some times soak away pipe drain about a foot down from the top of the water level consisting of a glazed clay pipe pointing down so the open end  was below at least a foot below the water level  .
there would also have been  an inlet foul water /waste pipe high up near the water line .

It saved having to dig out the cesspit and line it . If it is within  say 30 yards it could well be one .

Title: Re: We have a well
Post by: Diesel41 on September 13, 2014, 12:46:48 am

The well is 3 feet from the back door! Our sewage goes to a septic tank elsewhere.

Title: Re: We have a well
Post by: Peasgood on September 13, 2014, 07:27:43 am

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/cast-iron-garden-pumps-garden-furniture/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1 (https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/cast-iron-garden-pumps-garden-furniture/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1)
These work very well. Need priming so keep a full bucket each time you use the pump and fit a non return valve on the bottom of the suction pipe for an easier life.
Protect from frost too, it will crack them. Wrapping in hessian sack is the traditional method.

Title: Re: We have a well
Post by: Diesel41 on September 30, 2014, 03:20:51 pm

Thank guys, all useful stuff