The Poultry Keeper

Bhindi · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject: Garden well

I have an old well about 8' away from the rear of my house. I am trying to find information on all sorts of issues related to them : eg, is there concerns regarding being so close to the house, can I use it(best way to drawer the water) should it be checked first and if so who would I call...

At the moment there is a very heavy concrete slab over it, it looks in reasonable condition though some bricks look like the've probably moved. Its clean... and theres plenty of water in it..... and its awesome!!!.. and Im desperate to use it.. The previous owner put the house on a water meter and thats irriversible!

thoughts, web sites etc would be brilliant..

thanks

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:07 am Post subject:

I'm not allowed to answer this am I?

CP · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:18 am Post subject:

Ahh now fenwoman! Rolling Eyes

I'm sure Bhindi would value your information if it's given in the right spirit. Wink

I would also love to have a well in the garden. On local maps here, there seems to be one in a neighbours garden, but they don't, or won't, use it.
We also found a well handle in our garden when digging a few years ago. The ones here would probably be contaminated now anyway as we are all on cess pits & not mains drainage.

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

Fenwoman: if its as CP says- in the spirit of my post I would be happy to hear from you,

mojo · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject:

i live in the land of wells not that weve had any water in them for 2 years ..............rules over here ...........all wells must be tested for chemicals....the water board will do it at a charge no water even if pure can be used for drinking or food prep without filtering........clean water can be used for animals ,gardening etc if the test is good...........most folks use submersible auto cutoff pumps run by electricity either to a big tank or straight to sprinklers.....whatever you do DONT use it till its tested as there are some very nasty waterborn problems about.....hope this helps ..........mojo

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:21 pm Post subject:

It depends if it really is a well and not a water cistern. Here in the fens and other places too they have water cisterns which are like large bell shaped structures to catch the run off from the roof etc.
You can ask the environmental health people to test the water for you. Even if it isn't drinkable you could still reduce your water bill by using it for the garden or pumping it to a header tank and using it for laundry. I have one just outside my back door but I filled it in. You can buy cast iron hand pumps to sit on top.