Sovereignty Module: Reach the Deep
Reach the Deep
Complete Well Drilling, Groundwater Access, and Hand Pump Installation Guide
Complete Well Drilling, Groundwater Access, and Hand Pump Installation Guide
Clean water from underground is the most reliable water source in any climate. Wells provide water year-round regardless of surface conditions. This campaign covers finding water, digging and drilling wells, and installing hand pumps.
Chapter 1: Groundwater Indicators
| Indicator | Reliability | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation (willows, cattails, green in dry season) | High | Observe where plants stay green |
| Topography (valley bottoms, base of slopes) | High | Water flows downhill underground too |
| Existing springs or seeps | Very high | Spring = water table intersecting surface |
| Neighboring wells (ask depth and yield) | Very high | Water table is relatively consistent locally |
| Soil type (sand/gravel = good aquifer) | High | Permeable soils hold and transmit water |
| Rock outcrops (limestone = possible, granite = poor) | Moderate | Limestone has fractures and caves |
| Ant hills (some species indicate shallow water) | Low-moderate | Traditional indicator |
| Morning fog/dew concentration | Low-moderate | Moisture rises from shallow water table |
Chapter 2: Well Types
| Type | Depth | Diameter | Method | Yield | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dug well (hand-dug) | 10-50 feet | 3-6 feet | Shovel, pick, bucket | Moderate-high | 20-50+ years |
| Driven well (sand point) | 10-30 feet | 1.25-2 inches | Hammer pipe into ground | Low-moderate | 10-25 years |
| Bored well (hand auger) | 10-100 feet | 4-8 inches | Earth auger, extensions | Moderate | 20-40 years |
| Drilled well (rotary) | 50-500+ feet | 4-8 inches | Drill rig (motorized) | High | 30-50+ years |
| Spring box (captured spring) | Surface | N/A | Excavate, box, pipe | Variable | Indefinite |
Chapter 3: Hand-Dug Well Construction
| Step | Action | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select site (uphill from latrines, 100+ feet from contamination) | Critical: never downhill from sewage |
| 2 | Dig shaft 4-5 feet diameter, line as you go | Shore walls immediately (cave-in kills) |
| 3 | Install concrete rings or stone/brick lining | Prevents collapse, keeps out surface water |
| 4 | Continue digging below water table (3-6 feet into saturated zone) | Work in water, bail as you dig |
| 5 | Install gravel filter at bottom (12-18 inches of clean gravel) | Prevents sand from entering well |
| 6 | Seal upper 10 feet of lining (cement/clay) | Prevents surface contamination |
| 7 | Build concrete apron around wellhead (3 feet radius, sloped away) | Diverts surface water away |
| 8 | Install cover (concrete slab with access hole) | Prevents contamination, child safety |
| 9 | Install pump (hand pump or windlass with bucket) | Access method |
| 10 | Disinfect well (chlorine treatment) before first use | Kills bacteria from construction |
Chapter 4: Driven Well (Sand Point)
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain well point (screened steel point, 1.25-2 inch) | Commercial or fabricated (drill holes in pipe, wrap with screen) |
| 2 | Attach first section of pipe (5-6 feet) | Threaded coupling |
| 3 | Drive into ground with post driver or sledgehammer | Use drive cap to protect threads |
| 4 | Add pipe sections as point descends | Thread on additional lengths |
| 5 | Test for water periodically (pour water in, see if it drains away) | When water drains = you've reached water table |
| 6 | Continue 3-5 feet past water table | Ensures adequate submergence |
| 7 | Install pitcher pump or hand pump on top | Prime pump, test yield |
| 8 | Build concrete apron around pipe | Prevents surface contamination |
Limitations: Only works in sand/gravel (cannot penetrate rock or heavy clay). Maximum practical depth: 25-30 feet (suction pump limit). Deeper requires a different pump type.
Chapter 5: Hand Pump Types
| Pump Type | Max Depth | Flow Rate | Complexity | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher pump (suction) | 25 feet | 3-5 GPM | Low | Low (replace leathers) |
| Deep well hand pump | 200+ feet | 1-3 GPM | Moderate | Moderate (rod/cylinder) |
| Rope pump | 100+ feet | 1-3 GPM | Low (DIY) | Low (replace rope/washers) |
| Windlass (bucket) | Any depth | 1-2 GPM | Very low | Very low |
| Solar pump | 200+ feet | 2-10 GPM | High (electronics) | Low (no moving parts in submersible) |
Rope pump (DIY): Continuous loop of rope with rubber washers (discs) spaced 3 feet apart. Rope passes through PVC pipe (rising main). Turn wheel at top, washers push water up pipe. Simple, cheap, maintainable with local materials.
Chapter 6: Water Quality and Protection
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance from Well | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Latrine/septic | 100 feet (30 meters) minimum | Always locate well UPHILL from sewage |
| Animal pen/feedlot | 100 feet | Slope drainage away from well |
| Chemical storage | 200 feet | Bermed containment around chemicals |
| Surface water (stream, pond) | 50 feet | Sealed well casing prevents surface entry |
| Road/parking area | 50 feet | Prevents fuel/oil contamination |
| Garbage/compost | 50 feet | Leachate can reach groundwater |
Disinfection: New wells or contaminated wells: add 1 quart household bleach per 100 gallons of water in well. Let sit 12-24 hours. Pump until chlorine smell gone. Test before drinking.
Reference Card
- Well site: uphill from all contamination, minimum 100 feet from latrines
- Dug well: line walls immediately (cave-in is the #1 killer in well construction)
- Seal upper 10 feet of well casing to prevent surface water contamination
- Driven well (sand point): only works in sand/gravel, max 25-30 feet deep
- Suction pumps cannot lift water more than 25 feet (atmospheric pressure limit)
- Rope pump: simple DIY design works to 100+ feet with local materials
- Concrete apron (3-foot radius, sloped away) prevents surface contamination
- Disinfect all new wells with chlorine before first use
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