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Post by orly152 on Jun 23, 2012 2:51:40 GMT -7
Here's a cheaper alternative to the Bison hand pump: www.flojak.com/A well bucket is even cheaper. Onidah Thank you for that link
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Post by geron on Jun 23, 2012 4:24:53 GMT -7
A well bucket is a good Idea. Several good plans for one on the web. I need to make one as a "standby."
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Post by missj on Jun 24, 2012 0:03:02 GMT -7
Orly, sounds like you and I have a similar situation.
My well is about 77' deep. electric pump. replaced about 2 years ago.
currently all we have as a backup is a gasoline generator and many gallons of stored gasoline my husband is quite experienced at "splicing" the well pump into the generator as we usually need to do this 1-2 times per winter. I totally agree that post SHTF this would not be a good idea to do for SO many reasons.
We also have 2 of those "well buckets" PVC pipe things. I got them online for $45 each plus shipping, so I decided to just get and extra one.
I desperately want a better back up method for our well, but am out of ideas.
last year we spent $135 on "oasis pumps" a PVC hand pump thing. I don't really know why it didn't work. I sent the check, received the pump, my husband says it doesn't work. We call out the local pump guy to help....apparently he has no patience for people who want to install manual well pumps...said he did a bunch of that back at Y2K and he doesn't want to do it again....he told us that there was nothing wrong with the product that we bought, but that it just won't work. I don't understand why, I am very irritated about the whole thing. So meanwhile I've got a big, bulky $135 piece of plastic hanging around my storage area making me feel guilty.
I bought a berkey water filter today as a backup because we do have a ton of natural water in the area (closest metro area is Portland, Oregon. Think: RAIN). There is a creek that runs 10+ months of the year close to our driveway....on some days I can HEAR it from the front porch. I figure if all else fails a few 5 gal buckets and a wagon or hand cart plus a berkey filter can at least keep us in DRINKING water....
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Post by orly152 on Jun 24, 2012 14:33:21 GMT -7
Missj, I say that we do have a similar situation. I have a generator with lots of tanks for gas to run it, I have a Berkey water filter, and also the Sawyer Gravity Bag water filter, and also the Sawyer bucket filter.
I actually looked at the Oasis Pumps but I didnt get it at the time because I wasnt convience. I wish that I could lower a bucket down to my well but my well is only a pipe going down. They would have to dig down and make the whole for the bucket to fit. The problem is that the well is on the front yard and the county will have a problem with it if I put a large whole in my front yard for a well.
My next step is to call my local well guy and see what he charges for installing a well handpump. The well guy had offered to install a pump about 5 years ago but I chose not to.
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jun 24, 2012 14:58:57 GMT -7
Missj, I say that we do have a similar situation. I have a generator with lots of tanks for gas to run it, I have a Berkey water filter, and also the Sawyer Gravity Bag water filter, and also the Sawyer bucket filter. I actually looked at the Oasis Pumps but I didnt get it at the time because I wasnt convience. I wish that I could lower a bucket down to my well but my well is only a pipe going down. They would have to dig down and make the whole for the bucket to fit. The problem is that the well is on the front yard and the county will have a problem with it if I put a large whole in my front yard for a well. My next step is to call my local well guy and see what he charges for installing a well handpump. The well guy had offered to install a pump about 5 years ago but I chose not to. Hey there Orly, This is the kinda well bucket you need to look into building for yourself. The old time version was made out of stove pipe but the new fangled deal is PVC. I have lifted many many gallons of water with one of these. A simple take down tri-pod with a chain pulley and you set. You don't need any sorta wishing well thing anyway. They were abandoned in their use because they would not stay clean. This can go down a 5" pipe and after you get the water needed just slip a cap on it. Then if you ever leave it can be locked as well. That's what I did with mine at huntin camp. www.countrysidemag.com/issues/83/83-1/Steve_Belanger.html
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Post by orly152 on Jun 24, 2012 15:23:48 GMT -7
Missj, I say that we do have a similar situation. I have a generator with lots of tanks for gas to run it, I have a Berkey water filter, and also the Sawyer Gravity Bag water filter, and also the Sawyer bucket filter. I actually looked at the Oasis Pumps but I didnt get it at the time because I wasnt convience. I wish that I could lower a bucket down to my well but my well is only a pipe going down. They would have to dig down and make the whole for the bucket to fit. The problem is that the well is on the front yard and the county will have a problem with it if I put a large whole in my front yard for a well. My next step is to call my local well guy and see what he charges for installing a well handpump. The well guy had offered to install a pump about 5 years ago but I chose not to. Hey there Orly, This is the kinda well bucket you need to look into building for yourself. The old time version was made out of stove pipe but the new fangled deal is PVC. I have lifted many many gallons of water with one of these. A simple take down tri-pod with a chain pulley and you set. You don't need any sorta wishing well thing anyway. They were abandoned in their use because they would not stay clean. This can go down a 5" pipe and after you get the water needed just slip a cap on it. Then if you ever leave it can be locked as well. That's what I did with mine at huntin camp. www.countrysidemag.com/issues/83/83-1/Steve_Belanger.htmlThanks wtrfwlr for that link...looks like a project in the making for me...I like it
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jun 24, 2012 15:26:26 GMT -7
They work great, not as convenient as the flip of a switch but you can get a days water (including a bath) in a matter of minutes!
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Post by orly152 on Jun 24, 2012 15:32:45 GMT -7
They work great, not as convenient as the flip of a switch but you can get a days water (including a bath) in a matter of minutes! It might not be convenient but I also see it your way....it's a back up to a back up. Better having a way of getting water than none at all.
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 24, 2012 17:20:36 GMT -7
Wisconsin DNR will not give a straight answer on whether we can add the Bison pump to our well. They are worried (rightfully so) of contamination issue of the aquifer. Still waiting to see.
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jun 24, 2012 17:31:54 GMT -7
Does anyone have a link to building one of the old school stove pipe buckets? I would much rather have that instead of the PVC and I would kinda just like to build one!
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Post by onidah on Jun 24, 2012 21:02:54 GMT -7
Wisconsin DNR will not give a straight answer on whether we can add the Bison pump to our well. They are worried (rightfully so) of contamination issue of the aquifer. Still waiting to see. If you put an anti-siphon hose bib (backflow preventer) on it, there shouldn't be any contamination. You can also install a check valve just above the pump for additional protection. I'd also contact Bison Pumps to see if they have any information that would be helpful in your quest for approval. Onidah
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 24, 2012 21:08:20 GMT -7
Wisconsin DNR will not give a straight answer on whether we can add the Bison pump to our well. They are worried (rightfully so) of contamination issue of the aquifer. Still waiting to see. If you put an anti-siphon hose bib (backflow preventer) on it, there shouldn't be any contamination. You can also install a check valve just above the pump for additional protection. I'd also contact Bison Pumps to see if they have any information that would be helpful in your quest for approval. Onidah Actually our well installer is in contact with WDNR on our behalf as it is greek to me. He also contacted Bison. Thanks!
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Post by onidah on Jun 27, 2012 16:21:03 GMT -7
If you put an anti-siphon hose bib (backflow preventer) on it, there shouldn't be any contamination. You can also install a check valve just above the pump for additional protection. I'd also contact Bison Pumps to see if they have any information that would be helpful in your quest for approval. Onidah Actually our well installer is in contact with WDNR on our behalf as it is greek to me. He also contacted Bison. Thanks! In that case, you should have gone with a "good old boy" installer who wouldn't bother going through official channels in the first place. I really don't see why they are giving you so much grief about installing a hand pump. Does it really make that much difference if the power to run the pump comes from electricity or from your arms? Onidah
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Post by celticwarrior on Jun 27, 2012 17:00:17 GMT -7
Most well drilling and installation companies can put in a side-by-side hand pump alongside your existing mechanical well pump, depending on the well depth. I got one put in a couple years ago by the guys who service my well (they had to replace the existing pump when I bought the house, since the thing had given up the ghost right after closing on the place!). Now I don't worry if the power goes out, even for a long while. The hand pump does a good job, and works better than the ones I use when I camp at various state parks.
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 28, 2012 13:21:44 GMT -7
Our well is 220 feet deep.
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