Campaign 68: Tap the Aquifer
The Complete Well Drilling, Water Access, and Groundwater Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
Surface water is vulnerable: contamination, drought, control. Groundwater is protected by layers of earth and rock. A well provides direct access to this protected resource. Hand-dug and hand-drilled wells have served humanity for thousands of years. Modern hand-drilling techniques can reach 50-200 feet with simple tools. This campaign covers well types, hand-drilling methods, pump selection, and water quality testing.
Part I: Groundwater Fundamentals
Chapter 1: Understanding Aquifers
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Aquifer | Underground layer of rock/sediment that holds and transmits water |
| Water table | Top surface of the saturated zone |
| Confined aquifer | Aquifer between impermeable layers (pressurized, may flow without pumping) |
| Unconfined aquifer | Aquifer with water table as upper boundary (most common for shallow wells) |
| Recharge zone | Area where surface water infiltrates to replenish aquifer |
| Static water level | Water level when no pumping is occurring |
| Drawdown | How much water level drops during pumping |
| Recovery rate | How fast water level returns after pumping stops |
Chapter 2: Well Types
| Type | Depth | Method | Cost | Flow Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dug well | 10-30 ft | Hand-dug, lined with stone/concrete | Low | Low-moderate | Shallow water table, simple construction |
| Driven well (sand point) | 15-50 ft | Steel point hammered into ground | Very low | Low | Sandy soil, shallow water table |
| Hand-drilled (auger) | 20-100 ft | Hand auger or percussion drilling | Low-moderate | Moderate | Most soil types, developing regions |
| Machine-drilled | 50-1,000+ ft | Rotary or percussion drill rig | High | High | Deep aquifers, rock formations |
Chapter 3: Hand Drilling Methods
| Method | Soil Types | Depth | Tools Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand auger | Clay, silt, soft soil | 20-80 ft | Auger bit, extension rods, T-handle |
| Percussion (sludging) | Most soils including gravel | 30-150 ft | Heavy bit on rope, tripod, casing |
| Jetting | Sand, loose soil | 20-100 ft | Water pump, jetting pipe, screen |
| Driven point | Sand, fine gravel | 15-50 ft | Well point, drive cap, pipe, sledge |
Chapter 4: Pump Types
| Pump | Power | Depth | Flow | Cost | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand pump (pitcher) | Manual | 0-25 ft | 3-5 gal/min | $50-200 | Low |
| Hand pump (deep well) | Manual | 25-200 ft | 1-3 gal/min | $200-800 | Low |
| Solar submersible | Solar panel | 20-600 ft | 1-10 gal/min | $500-3,000 | Very low |
| 12V/24V DC submersible | Battery/solar | 20-300 ft | 1-5 gal/min | $200-1,000 | Low |
| AC submersible | Grid power | 20-1,000 ft | 5-50 gal/min | $300-2,000 | Moderate |
| Windmill pump | Wind | 20-300 ft | 1-5 gal/min | $2,000-8,000 | Low-moderate |
| Rope pump (DIY) | Manual | 10-100 ft | 1-3 gal/min | $20-100 (DIY) | Low |
Chapter 5: Water Quality Testing
| Test | What It Detects | Method | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria | Fecal contamination | Lab test or home kit | Annually + after flooding |
| Nitrates | Agricultural/septic contamination | Lab test or test strips | Annually |
| pH | Acidity/alkalinity (affects pipe corrosion) | Test strips or meter | Annually |
| Total dissolved solids (TDS) | Overall mineral content | TDS meter ($10-20) | Annually |
| Hardness | Calcium/magnesium (affects soap, scale) | Test strips | Once |
| Iron/manganese | Staining, taste | Lab test | Once |
| Arsenic | Natural occurrence in some regions | Lab test | Once (critical in some areas) |
| Lead | Pipe/fixture contamination | Lab test | Once |
Chapter 6: The Practitioner Well Reference Card
SITE SELECTION: Uphill from septic systems, animal pens, and latrines. Minimum 50 feet from any contamination source. 100 feet is better.
CASING: Always case the well (PVC or steel pipe) to prevent surface contamination from entering the well.
GROUT/SEAL: Seal the annular space (gap between casing and borehole) with bentonite clay or cement grout in the top 20 feet minimum. This prevents surface water from running down alongside the casing.
SCREEN: Well screen at the aquifer level allows water in while keeping sand/sediment out. Screen slot size matches aquifer particle size.
TEST BEFORE DRINKING: Always test new well water before drinking. Coliform bacteria and nitrates are the minimum tests.
BACKUP PUMP: If your primary pump is electric, have a manual backup. A hand pump or rope pump ensures water access during power outages.
REMEMBER: Water is the first necessity. A Practitioner with a well has secured the most fundamental resource independent of any municipal system, any grid, any supply chain. A well produces water 24/7/365.25 with zero ongoing cost if paired with a hand pump or solar pump. This is permanent water sovereignty.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete groundwater sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 68 is complete.