My brother helped, but this can be done by anyone. We put a well in for my place for less than $200 in a few hours. If you would like more info or pics, let me know.

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 24, 2002

Answers

Yep, Did that myself a couple of years ago- hard on the back and arms! It helps if you have sandy soil and not a lot of rocks. :>), Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), February 24, 2002.

Susan, how deep is your well? What size pump do you have? Is it set up for year-round use, or just for the warm months?

-- John (johntl@mtn.org), February 24, 2002.

Yes, more info would be nice.

-- Mike (uyk7@hotmail.com), February 24, 2002.

(Corrected by Phil per Susan's request - pic in next thread!)
Here's a pic of our first water. It is full of fine sand. This was last summer. I pumped several times over the summer and early fall. Each time the water was a little less sandy. I tried again this January and it was clear. I have not have it tested yet. I probably won't test it as we are going to try again in another spot and go deeper. My brother has "better" ideas...you know men. LOL :) Anyway, I was very pleased that all we used were the following: post hole digger to get the sod up, well point, galvinized pipe, driving cap, fence post driver, couplings, pipe dope and a $50 pump. We only went about 6 feet down before the brother's arms gave out. Keep in mind that we were driving in a wet area in sandy soil. There is a spring in them weeds somewheres. I have been advised that a pully rigged up in the trees would help with the heavy work of pounding. We need to add weight to the fence post driver, possibly by using a cement block attached to the rope on the pully. Haven't tried that yet. Right now, I can use this water for the garden and after it settles in a pail I could use it for the dogs (which I do). I keep the handle of the pump up during the winter and have had no trouble with it freezing...but our winter up here in Michigan has been mild this year. My grandfather farmed with a well and no electricity...my mother says he just kept the handle up so the water would drain from the pipe and each time they needed to use it in the winter they had to prime it first. (I keep a gallon jug of water by the well for this in case I need it) We tried to sink a pipe first in an area that had clay in it. We gave that up real fast. Ask questions so I can know what to talk about. Thanks,

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

PHIL...HELLO PHIL, Could you please "clean up" my last post and take out all the junk that didn't load for me? It will confuse the heck out of those who don't know I failed. I don't want folks wasting time typing all that in to see a pic that isn't there. You will notice I did it correctly the second time. THANK YOU!

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

How's that Susan? Not to bad for an ol' pig farmer, huh? :8)! Great pictures and info - THANKS!

-- Phil in KS (pemccoy@pemccoy.net), February 25, 2002.

Thanks Phil for "cleaning" up my post. Much better, you're a trooper.

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

Drove one this way a few years ago. One of my elderly neighbor ladies (93 y/o) came over and suggested that having someone else pour a small trickle of water down on the outside of the pipe would make it drive in easier. BIG difference. I'm not sure what the physics involved are but only a little trickle from a pitcher really helped. See if it helps on the next one. Also, stand on a step ladder when the pipe's up too high. Really makes it easier.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), February 26, 2002.

Getting deeper may also get me into a vein of clay. That's what I have, sand and clay LOL. Anyway, the well is about 5' deep right now. Our winter has never actually arrived this year, but most times it probably freezes 2 1/2 - 3' down. I agree with deeper = cleaner water. That's why I don't drink it. I will use this well for watering the garden. My brother thinks he has a better spot to put my drinking well. It will be between 18 and 20'. I need to be able to pump it myself as I do not have power. I will have the water tested before I drink.

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.