Old well question

tomfmal · May 9, 2007

My house was built in 1942. I just bought it last year. In the back is still the old water well. I lifted up the lid and can barely see the pump still at the bottom some 12 feet down(the previous owner had been throwing old branches and debris in there. I would like to break up the concrete top and fill in the hole with fill to be level. I find it dangerous to have with small kids around.
Is there any problem with this? What would I do with the pipe coming into the house? Is there any danger of well water working up without the pump working?
Thanks!

Gary Slusser · May 9, 2007

In some locations, and it should be that way everywhere, you must follow strict rules to "fill" a well because you can contaminate the local groundwater. Pumps and plumbing should be removed.

You'd remove or cut off and cap any water lines.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Gary Swart · May 9, 2007

Not only is this an environmental issue, it is a major disaster waiting to happen. Many children have fallen into old abandon well such as this. Sometimes the child can be gotten out OK, but often times they die before they can be found and/or rescued. I would believe that a person knowing they had a potential deathtrap did nothing about it, would be liable for a huge lawsuit.

tomfmal · May 9, 2007

Dear Gary Swart - yeah that's why I am writing asking just how to do this!! I am not an ignorant parent like the last people who lived in this house (also with kids)for 20 years and did nothing with that damn well. You have not answered my question - perhaps someone else will. I am trying to do the responsible thing and do it the right way. Remember I just bought this damn money pit!!!

To the other Gary - thanks for your help - how can I contaminate the ground water by just filling in the well hole with dirt?

Toolaholic · May 9, 2007

Hold on

About 10 years ago I removed a large rotten wooden deck . Found a brick lined
well about 27 ft. deep. This is what I did and The cust. was happy. I installed 6" perforated pvc in the center. than I filled up the well with 3/4" crushed stone.
Installed 1 1/4" pipe, with check valve and foot valve about 3' off the bottom.
Shallow well pump under new cover. isolated hose bibs all the landscape
runs. Here in Ca. We have water shortages,Will have one this year!
Now I suspect someone will shake their finger at this. That's ok
Garden is happy, more drinking water for all

Gary Slusser · May 9, 2007

tomfmal said:
To the other Gary - thanks for your help - how can I contaminate the ground water by just filling in the well hole with dirt?

It depends on what is in the dirt, rocks etc. and that usually depends on where you get it from. You know how the guv'mint is, you'd think they'd be happy you filled the whole.

tomfmal · May 10, 2007

Thanks - It will be a nightmare to try to remove the old pump and I really just want to fill it in to make it safe. I would order clean fill. I think my concern is the water. Do I need to cap off something in the bottom of the well or not? Again it will be almost impossible to get to it with all the junk thrown in there. The electric to the pump is totally disconnected.

Wet_Boots · May 10, 2007

the previous owner had been throwing old branches and debris in there

Old wood makes a lousy filler. When it completely breaks down, the resulting void may bring on a collapse of the fill above it. You might actually be safer with a new (massive) concrete cover.

tomfmal · May 11, 2007

The problem with that is - I want to build a new brick path right over the well.
I really need to fill it in. If that means trying to remove the old sticks and leaves I'll have to find a way. What about burning the branches in the well pit? Seems it would be safe to do??

Rshackleford · May 12, 2007

the simplest thing to do would be to fill the well with a neat grout or concrete without rock. you could use plain old ready mix if you want. you might also consider bentonite chips. the goal is to install a layer that will not allow foreign materials into the water bearing zone. many of the states have a USDA branch called the Extension Service and these organizations all have a publication on plugging old wells.

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