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07/19/09, 10:11 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 77
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Life with a well Tips?
Had questions for any of you who are or who know about running with only a well. After many years of looking we put in an offer of a 5 acre abandon homestead. The land has a well, but rural water is a mile and a half away. I know we will have to get the well tested, any other tips from those of you who know more about living off a well?
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07/19/09, 10:20 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: WI
Posts: 1,245
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In addition to testing, make sure you taste the water. Make sure you like it.
It would also be nice to figure out how much output your well can keep up with. I can run every faucet, hose, shower, etc forever and never run it dry.
Others have to manage water usage buy the day as to not get ahead of the avaliable water.
Find out how deep it is as well if you can.
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Remember the good times, for they are fewer in number and easier to recall.
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07/19/09, 10:49 AM
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God Smacked Jesus Freak
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Turtle Island/Yelm, WA "Land of the Dancing Spirits"--Salish
Posts: 7,456
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BE SURE to get a flow test, and ask around the neighbors about how wells do seasonally(do they dry up in late summer), as well as well depths(in case you need to drill a new one at some point). Get the water tested, and DO NOT buy a place with bad water or horrendous well depths unless you have $$$(I mean you said the place was abandoned, water usually has a role to play in that)
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THE BEGINNING IS NEAR
5-star double-rated astronavagatrix earth girl
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07/19/09, 11:18 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 291
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Learn everything you can about the system and maintain it. I have a problem with my well right now, due to my neglecting to check the air pressure in the pressure tank since about February. I either burnt out the pump or the relay switch. I'm going to check the relay switch in a few minutes. If that checks out, I'm pulling the pump on Wednesday.
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07/19/09, 12:57 PM
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plains of Colorado
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: plains of Colorado
Posts: 3,882
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well
ours always tested okay but too much iron for us. We had every filter available for in the house but never drank it. It was the only thing available when we bought our property but when "city" water became available...we got it...worth every penny. Our well would have problems and needed to be fixed ... okay b/c husband could do it. Without electric...no water for us. I always worried what if it were just me? A repairman is expensive. The other thing was you couldn't do, lots of water things at once. If I were watering trees or garden, I would not be running the washer...this has to do with something about pressure.
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07/19/09, 01:01 PM
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Brenda Groth
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 7,817
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agree with all of the above..we have a lovely well ..our water is the best in the nation according to studies..they rated Manton Michigan the best in the nation..go figure.
we have no problems with water here even if there is a drought..and wouldn't think of using any city faciltiies..ever
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07/19/09, 02:07 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Kitsap Co, WA
Posts: 3,025
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The only drawback to a well is that when the power goes out, you have no water. You have the water which is in the pressure tank, but that's it. So you want to have some water stored for just such occasions. A windstorm knocked the power out for 12.5 days. That was inconvenient. If you have a lot of livestock, it is a bigger problem.
Other than that, my well water is terrific!.
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07/19/09, 02:29 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bartow County, GA
Posts: 6,778
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If this is your only water, you needed to write the contract contingent upon the water being potable - drinkable.
In the mean time, get it tested. Many times the well just needs a drink of bleach, so I've been told.
I'd also find out how old the pump and casing are, what size the pump is & how deep the well is. That'll help if you have to get the casing repaired or have a submersable pump. I'd also find out what the largest size pump you can put on your well if you need to replace it in the future.
If you live in an area of electrical outage, holding tanks are a good way to go....
Remember, it's not free - the well uses electricity to pump water.
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Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible
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07/19/09, 02:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MS
Posts: 24,572
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Like others mentioned, if the power goes off you have no water. I want a hand pump put on one of our wells, if it's possible. Otherwise, it's a good idea to keep some water on hand. I freeze water in jugs to have when we need it. Haven't needed it in six years though!
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07/19/09, 04:49 PM
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Semper Fidelis
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northwestern Coastal California
Posts: 4,609
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I have a 2.500 gallon water tank that is filled by my well pump. It is attached to a gravity feed water system downhill to the house. Plenty of water pressure, and more than enough water to last for days - before I have to run the electric water pump with a generator to refill the tank..
Have the water tested for fecal material, bacteria, minerals, all of those items. Plus you should see if you like the taste or the ground water (after the lab test is performed!!)..
I can really smell the chlorine/ chemicals in the city water down the hill..
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Smarter than the average bear, sitting here on my hilltop 80 acres in the fog above the ocean... 
"Life is tough, but it is tougher when you are stupid." - John Wayne 
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