Digging a spring fed well

[moonspinner]

I'm looking at a property to possibly build a cabin on. It has a septic but shares a well w/a neighbor and the realtor says it likely won't convey with the sale. She suggested negotiating with the seller for a springfed well. I haven't yet done research so this is the beginning of my fact finding mission. What can I expect from this - how is it used and how much water can be accessed? What is involved in digging this?
If I were to buy the property it would likely be a stopgap measure and I'd have a proper well drilled at some point.
Thanks for all insights and info!

[vicker]

First you have to have a spring. You dig it out to the impermeable layer build or instal a catchment system diverted into a cistern. It real nice if the cistern is some distant above the point of use for gravity fed water. If not, you install a pump.
So, I guess she is meaning for you to negotiate with the seller to access a spring not on your property?

[moonspinner]

I don't know. I guess I'll find out when I talk with the agent next week.

[fantasymaker]

Does the neighbor own the land you will be buying? Land without water is worthless. Make your offer for the land contingent on water. Specifically try to get shared use of the well. Failing that, shared use for a reasonable period so that you have time to put in the well. A spring fed well is simply a spring or wet spot excavated to provide reserve capacity. I dug four foot deep and built a concrete wall around the resivour area and then back filled sand. Water perculates in through the sand floor. I use a shallow well pump. Good Luck.

[edcopp]

In my county the first thing that will be needed is a permit from the health department. So find out what the requirements are where you are.