Wells

[Glock21]

Originally Posted by 22rssix

Since this topic is already going I though I would ask...

I just bought a house that once had a well. I am now on city water but the well pipe outside is still there. I want to hook it up for yard use and if the water is clean then possible backup drinking water.

I see that I could get a hand pump, which would work well for getting drinking/cooking water. but if I want enough pressure to water the lawn what would be needed?

Thanks,
James

It depends on what kind of well it is...

Is it a sand well? A rock well? If a sand well, is it a 4" steel or plastic casing, or is it 2" sand point?

No matter what, you'll need some sort of pump - a submergible pump if it's a 4-5" casing, or a shallow well pump if it's a 2" well.

And if you end dropping a pump in the well, you'll need a pressure tank, which means you'll either need a well house (shed) or you'll need to run service lines into the house, to provide power and protection from the elements. It is possible to open discharge the pump, but should you do that, you cannot valve it to the point of "dead heading" the pump, as that will ruin it. It's always best to install a pressure tank and switch.

Also, I'm really surprised the town hasn't made you plug that well. There's probably is some sort of code you're in violation of, so keep it to yourself, unless you know that your city is cool with lawn irrigation wells.

[22rssix]

Glock21,

I still have the tank in my basment I am not sure if that could be used or not. If I can get it working I will not talk about it.

Currently the well pipe is a 3 inch pvc pipe sticking out near my patio. It has no cap of anykind on it. If its not to code it would not surprise me. someThings around here are sketchy.

[Glock21]

Originally Posted by 22rssix

Glock21,

I still have the tank in my basment I am not sure if that could be used or not. If I can get it working I will not talk about it.

Currently the well pipe is a 3 inch pvc pipe sticking out near my patio. It has no cap of anykind on it. If its not to code it would not surprise me. someThings around here are sketchy.

3" casing is kind of an odd size...but if there is no cap on it, get one on it. Bugs and mice and everything else can get in there.

I'm trying to figure out how you have a pitless adaptor on a 3" pipe - since the pressure tank is in the basement, I'm assuming the water line(s) come in through the basement wall?

Or do you mean you just have the tank stored in the basement?

And maybe this is a stupid question, but how sure are you that is a water well casing sticking up in the yard?

[Ri22o]

Originally Posted by Glock21

And maybe this is a stupid question, but how sure are you that is a water well casing sticking up in the yard?

Good point. It might be an oil tank, but I don't ever remember seeing one with bigger than 1 1/2-2" pipe.

[arbitrary]

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Well buckets are a clever idea.