Need help from well/cistern experts
 

I'm evaluating a new SHTF retreat in the mtns. I'm not very knowledgeable about wells and water systems, so any info would be appreciated.

There's one fixer upper property I am going to look at later this week, which I need some help with. Everything about the property looks great, there are just questions about the water supply.

The Real Estate agent doesn't know anything at all about this setup. Apparently the previous owner has passed away, so he can't provide any info. The photos are all I have to work with so far.

So, my questions are, what exactly do we have here? I'd like to be able to ask some intelligent questions and know what to look for when i visit the property on Friday.

Thanks.
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Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Not sure about these pics, but in Colorado they have a water board in Denver (perhaps your State does too?) where they have a record of all the wells in the State. There are some really old wells they don't have, but those drilled within the last 30 years or so....? That's if they are wells not sure about cisterns, but a cistern has to get water from somewhere - runoff or trucked in?

Might give that a try. Also, are there any old timers in the area? Sometimes the old folks know a bit about the land.

Maybe a tag showing who installed them?

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Hold a seance to contact the dead owner.

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Most likely a deep well with the pressure tank and controls put underground to prevent freezing......I take it the frost depth is quite deep there ?

A cistern is nothing more than a big holding tank ( and it IS possible that is under the pressure tank area you see in the photo, but my guess is deep well ).....the two electric boxes are the give away.

One is simply a disconnect to shut off the power at that point, the other is a starter box holding the capacitor for the deep well pump ( meaning it is a 3 wire pump, keep that for future reference ).....you wouldn't use a 3 wire pump on a cistern......a shallow well, or jet pump is all you need. The advantage of a 3 wire pump is the start capacitor is IN that box, not down on the pump ( that would be a two wire pump ), so if it goes, you can replace it right at the box, and not have to pull the pump.

Look for the name "FRANKLIN" ( most likely...they build about ALL the pump starter boxes ) on one of the boxes and take the lid off....you'll see a salt shaker sized black tube in the lid....that's the capacitor. The Franklin box will also tell you what size the pump is.....different box for every HP pump.

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Hardy har har, Mr. Sizz,,, :biggrin:

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Yes, elevation is about 8,100 feet, in the Southern Colorado Rockies.

Thanks for all of the info TN, this helps a lot.

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

See my additional info......

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

That looks like my well pit and my Franklin control box. There is most likely a pitless adaptor entering the bottom of the pit. They drill a hole in the casing 6 feet down and install a kind of 90 degree fitting that permits removal of the water piping if the pump needs to be removed later.

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Yes sir. But be very careful touching the leads on that cap, unless you know that it is discharged. I'm sure you already know that.

I keep seeing that fellow on top of the train in India somewhere, stand up, start walking grabbing the wires above him for seeming support. Zap. Caps store a charge. But a wire system set up to run the huge torque monster motored trains has plenty of amps. Instant roast.

Lord, I'm cheery tonight...

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Yeah, it just felt like Colorado! Call the water board up in Denver.
If you are using an agent to buy, they should know all about it.
If not, get a different agent with knowledge in that area.

Can you expound on where in the So Colorado Rockies? La Veta Pass area perhaps?

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Yeah, I was talking directly to the listing agent. She's not a very "technical" person, but I think there's another guy in her office that can help.

You're in the ball park. Up more towards Westcliffe. :biggrin:

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

There's a really good Bluegrass festival in Westcliff hosted by
The Sons and Brothers. Frank Wolking, started the band.
There's a memorial on the site.

http://www.sonsandbrothers.com/

friends of mine....

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Beautiful country. Too bad Colorado doesn't allow you to harvest rainwater.

Who's up for a quilt retreat? http://www.rickytims.com/retreats.html
http://www.rickytims.com/images/lvqr_a29.jpg
Gimmers Butte. Like Galt's Gulch, but with quilts.

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

That's actually one of the better (external - not in or under the house) set-ups I've seen to protect a pressure tank. I see an insulated water line coming in to the pressure switch and the submersible pump disconnect. If the well is good, this 'pump house' was created in such a way that you'll never have to worry about it freezing... need to find the well but I bet it's properly done too.

Hillbilly style is to just duct tape a bunch of R-11 to the outside of the exposed pressure tank and pray (or curse) a lot when it gets real cold!

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Thanks MM. I agree, I want to stay below the radar if possible. I tried searching the state Water Division web site, but the well permit records aren't online. And they say a written request can take 4-6 weeks. :banghead:

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

I would just bring a generator with a 220V hookup, and hotwire the pump at the cutoff box (nothing permanent). Run the pump for a couple hours and make sure it runs clean and keeps pressure.

Do a little research on your own.

By the way, I wouldn't mention this to the realtor. My guess is this is a pretty remote property so you should be able to do this without attracting attention.

Just a thought,

Dave

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

and that the way it would stay ............ unknowed to no one

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

+1 on TNAndy comments

+1 on Dave comments (hooking up and testing) i would take a water sample and test it in addition to testing for function (it would suc big time to be in a bad water area)

+1 Melbo....you forgot us hillbillys also hang one light bulb in there for heat R-11 and a 100w lightbulb who would need more ??? LOL

+1 for MM (very likely unregistered)

your expecting a lot to want any realestate person to make any sort of commital comment about anything property wise

Lot of experience and wise comments in this thread

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

be a good place to hide something else too....then fill the shed with wood or such

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

FYI there is a website where the State mapped out all the 'known' wells. It's kind of like google earth? You can call them up and ask for the link.

With your luck, you might not find a well anywhere near there....:15_1_70v:

Re: Need help from well/cistern experts
 

Great place to keep hostages. Just store something really heavy over the hole to block escape and help muffle the sound.