Anyone dug their own well...?
Discussion
When we built our extension ~4 years ago, we discovered that the water table is quite close to the surface - ie within 6ft(all the footings, etc filled with water within 24 hours, despite there being no rain...).
We have had a rainwater harvesting system installed for the toilets / outside tap / washing machine, but of course this runs out every so often and we need to use mains water to top-up.
Knowing what we know about the depth(ish) of the water table, is sinking our own well to provide a back-up water supply to the rainwater tank feasible? Is it legal to extract your own groundwater or do you need licenses (Environment Agency??)? Has anyone done it?
Ta!
We have had a rainwater harvesting system installed for the toilets / outside tap / washing machine, but of course this runs out every so often and we need to use mains water to top-up.
Knowing what we know about the depth(ish) of the water table, is sinking our own well to provide a back-up water supply to the rainwater tank feasible? Is it legal to extract your own groundwater or do you need licenses (Environment Agency??)? Has anyone done it?
Ta!
I don't think I'll be using 20,000 litres a day - the tank is only ~ 3,500 litres and normally lasts for a good few weeks!!
I have found all sorts about DIY well digging and how to do it, but the sites are mostly American and therefore worth less than F all in terms of the legal aspect.
I have found all sorts about DIY well digging and how to do it, but the sites are mostly American and therefore worth less than F all in terms of the legal aspect.
If you've already got a well, why not drop a submersible pump down into it and have it feeding your toilet cisterns on a pressure sensor?
That's basically how our rainwater system works - flush toilet (start washing machine / open outside tap...) pressure falls below 3.5BAR as valve opens to refill, pump kicks in to maintain pressure until valve closed again. System maintains 3.5BAR, pump shouts down.
There is no water treatment / disinfection as we're not washing ourselves in it or drinking it, also there is no real aerosol risk and the stored water is a cool-enough temperature (11 degrees max even in the heatwave) to keep bacterial nastiness at bay. There is a simple gauze filter where the rainwater enters the tank, and again a simple gauze filter on the pump inlet.
If there is already a well - theoretically you could do away with the tank. Sounds ideal to me!
That's basically how our rainwater system works - flush toilet (start washing machine / open outside tap...) pressure falls below 3.5BAR as valve opens to refill, pump kicks in to maintain pressure until valve closed again. System maintains 3.5BAR, pump shouts down.
There is no water treatment / disinfection as we're not washing ourselves in it or drinking it, also there is no real aerosol risk and the stored water is a cool-enough temperature (11 degrees max even in the heatwave) to keep bacterial nastiness at bay. There is a simple gauze filter where the rainwater enters the tank, and again a simple gauze filter on the pump inlet.
If there is already a well - theoretically you could do away with the tank. Sounds ideal to me!
Burrow01 said:
Sounds interesting, but we have just gone to a Combi Boiler and done away with the tank in the roof
How do you have a separate circuit from the well for the system above? (fact that we have a well already will give you a clue as to the age of the house
)
Pipe from well pump to pressure switch mounted inside somewhere. You will need to run seperate pipework from this to the toilets, but in an old house this is often easier as floorboards are easier to lift than big slabs of chipboard!!How do you have a separate circuit from the well for the system above? (fact that we have a well already will give you a clue as to the age of the house
)Eliot, had we not been digging big holes and running pipes we probably wouldn't have done it. That said, our water bills are now tiddly as the biggest useage is toilets, garden watering and car washing - all of which comes from the rainwater tank!
Off you're looking at it in terms of payback period, then it would take years I'm sure, but if your installation costs are tied into an extension or larger project, I feel its worthwhile.
Off you're looking at it in terms of payback period, then it would take years I'm sure, but if your installation costs are tied into an extension or larger project, I feel its worthwhile.
bernhund said:
Is this just a tube that could be 5, 1 0, 30ft long?
It's entirely possible. Can't see it being very deep though if it was able to be operated by and antiquated hand pump!UPDATE: I have found something that might have been an old well in the garden, but chatting with neighbours it's more likely to be the old sceptic tank...
Note to self - choose drilling point away from this in case of "remains"...
More ponderings:
At present, I have a mains water top-up connected to the rainwater tank which operates via an actuator whereby, if the water level in the tank drops below a certain level (IIRC ~10%) a ball valve in the tank drops and the actuator opens the top-up valve to make sure a useable level is maintained.
My current thinking would be to adapt this arrangement so that, should the level drop sufficiently to open the actuator, the borehole pump is switched on to top-up.
I can then alter the pipework so that in the event of everything running dry, I can have a bypass valve that will allow the whole system to run direct off mains, rather than mains -> tank -> outlets... Although I presume some sort of non-return valve would also be required to prevent rainwater back-feeding into the water main?
... Of course it's all pie int he sky until I dig a really deep hole in the back garden...
Found an extending (up to 10m) earth auger on Ebay that I think will do the job! Time for some test-holes methinks...
At present, I have a mains water top-up connected to the rainwater tank which operates via an actuator whereby, if the water level in the tank drops below a certain level (IIRC ~10%) a ball valve in the tank drops and the actuator opens the top-up valve to make sure a useable level is maintained.
My current thinking would be to adapt this arrangement so that, should the level drop sufficiently to open the actuator, the borehole pump is switched on to top-up.
I can then alter the pipework so that in the event of everything running dry, I can have a bypass valve that will allow the whole system to run direct off mains, rather than mains -> tank -> outlets... Although I presume some sort of non-return valve would also be required to prevent rainwater back-feeding into the water main?
... Of course it's all pie int he sky until I dig a really deep hole in the back garden...
Found an extending (up to 10m) earth auger on Ebay that I think will do the job! Time for some test-holes methinks...
Tazza said:
Does anyone know if there is an way of identifying reputable bore-hole drillers?! The equivalent of the FSA for bore-holes?
I am thinking of a bore hole for domestic use including drinking water
Thanks
When I get the auger - I'll come and do it for you!! I would not recommend actually using the water for anything though... I am thinking of a bore hole for domestic use including drinking water
Thanks
One of the websites linked (near the end of page 1 I think) is very useful for this, although I'm not sure there is any "regulation" as such.
Tazza said:
Thanks for the replies. Was I mistaken to think that with a decent filter, the stuff can be used for drinking (and obviously, more importantly), for cleaning the car?
Too many variables to give a yes/no answer...Suffice to say, some do use it for drinking, others just for watering the garden. Water quality would need to be tested regularly as some contaminants cannot be removed by a filter alone.
My plan is to use it to supplement my current rainwater harvesting system, so as long as the larger particles are filtered, it is fine for washing cars, flushing toilets, etc.
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