Water pump alternatives

[Panther]

I'm wondering if there's anybody here that uses an alternative to an electric pump for their well water.

We have an electric pump with a pressure tank, but I'm wondering about an alternative or a back-up if the power is out.

Is it possible to attach a windmill system to the house? Or even a hand pump to the existing modern system?

Any ideas?

[Harry Chickpea]

A small generator is going to be your easiest and most cost effective protection.

[Windy in Kansas]

Yes windmills can provide water to a home. The water is pumped into an overhead tank and then is allowed to gravity flow into the distribution system into the home and elsewhere.

If greater pressure is desired than what the gravity flow system gives the flow can instead go into a tank and pumping system to be pressurized.

Here is a photo from about 1900 showing the windmill at the left pumping into an overhead tank which then bring water via gravity flow into the house. I apologize for the photo size, but it is linked elsewhere as well so I won't resize it or that link would be broken. At the far right is another mill which provided water for livestock. Both hand dug wells, 75 feet and 85 feet deep.

[forfreedom]

I got a small hand cistern pump at Tractor supply, for some fifty bucks. We have a second well where we put that pump, but it could be fitted over existing well instead of electric pump. But it only works if your well is no deeper than 25 feet I believe.

[stanb999]

Here is a link to my "home made" deep well pump thread.

One of the last preps finally complete!

[rambler]

Different well types lend themselves better or worse to backup systems.

2 inch sandpoint, or 6 inch casing deep well, or 2 foot shallow well.... Where is your water level, in addition to how deep the well itself is? All will have different answers.

Windmills need to be directly above the well, and need wind so you can't be in the middle of a forest.

Handpumps work well if your down pipe is big enough, and get mildly more difficult deeper than 100 feet or so.

There is also a solar version; basically a solar panel and a DC pump. Can get expensive if you get deep, but then less than a windmill move!

--->Paul