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turkeyboyslim
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2019 03:17pm
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Quoting: old243 If you are just starting to develop your property. You will have lots of projects, that a mini hoe would be useful.
Unfortunately right now my situation doesn't allow it, but after my cabin is built and I have all my essential needs met, I should be able to save and consider things like that.
Quoting: DaveBell If you dug a 11' hole for a 12' long pipe (need 12" exposed above grade) you would have 8' of water.
Yeah I defiantly want to go deeper but its hard, the water fills up really quickly after I removed it. Yesterday I removed all the water with a bucket by hand and started working the wet clay out with my post hole digger and within 10 mins it seemed like the water was back up to over a foot. I got some more material dug out and today it looks like there's at least 2+ feet of water.
Quoting: DaveBell Do some test holes to the direct right of your cabin for an out house.
Yeah that's exactly what I had in mind. I started this today, but I'm done for the day I think my body doesn't want to continue. (pictures attached)
I think the holes too big...
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Lot of big rocks to haul out
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2019 03:48pm
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There are a few issues here you should think about. You (obviously) have very shallow groundwater. Be careful on how close together your outhouse and well are. The outhouse is going to contaminate the groundwater around it.
Even if you site your well a good distance away, groundwater that shallow shouldn't be considered potable without treatment.
As for digging very far below the groundwater table - you're most likely screwed there. The sides of the hole will start collapsing and it will only get worse as you go deeper.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2019 06:13pm
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Quoting: turkeyboyslim Yeah I defiantly want to go deeper but its hard, the water fills up really quickly after I removed it.
Is there a slope downhill from the well? You could position the excavator downhill so the water empties out under the excavator. Dig a trench, put the pipe in, then fill it back.
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turkeyboyslim
Member
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2019 08:11pm
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Quoting: NorthRick Be careful on how close together your outhouse and well are. The outhouse is going to contaminate the groundwater around it.
Indeed, the outhouse is at least 600 feet away from the well and the ground is much higher at the well, id say at least 10-12ft higher altitude, the way the land slopes up.
Quoting: NorthRick As for digging very far below the groundwater table - you're most likely screwed there. The sides of the hole will start collapsing and it will only get worse as you go deeper.
Yeah I think you're right, it's already happening near where the water level is. I would think if I could go 3' below the water level, put a foot of gravel, put a 4" pipe to the bottom with gills in it, or drilled holes, wrap the bottom 4' in filter mesh and stick it in the hole so its resting on the gravel. Probably have a 1/2 pipe inside to actually draw the water from. Then fill the rest of the outside up with Bentonite clay to seal it and maybe seal the surface with concrete.
even if it's not safe for drinking I can atleast use it for showering and washing clothes, always good to have another source of water.
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offgrididaho
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2019 11:01am
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Lots of good discussion above, two quick thoughts:
1) If you're going to do a pipe in pipe setup like DaveBell suggested, consider if using an auger is an option. Could be quicker and leave you a cleaner hole with less disruption than digging with excavator. Most augers seems to be 4' long max but I think you can add extensions on as you go deeper. If you go this route I strongly suggest renting a driveable (or at least stand behind) auger not just using a 2 person gas auger, those things are a bear just to get to 4' I wouldn't want to try to run them with extensions on the auger.
2) If outhouse contaminating water is a concern consider a composting toilet. Yes more expensive but would save you the worry, and you could still just building outhouse building and place the composting toilet in it, small (like, really small) solar panel on roof to run vent fan and you're set.
-- Bass
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turkeyboyslim
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2019 06:38am
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Thanks for all the input, everyone.
Just to update, as for the digging goes, my neighbor will be coming over with his excavator to help me clean up and level the land on my shed/cabin building site. He mentioned using the excavator to dig the well down a little deeper so that sounds like the plan. Might get it done Friday.
Boy I feel lucky to have such a neighbor. You really meet some great people when you move to the middle of nowhere.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2019 03:47pm
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Found a picture of that guy using culvert pipe for well.
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 6 Aug 2019 03:43pm
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I think the OPs problem is there is no way you can dig a hole that deep with such shallow groundwater. The guy in the hole would be swimming.
You can try pumping the water out as you dig. That can work but sometimes not depending on conditions.
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moneypitfeeder
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# Posted: 6 Aug 2019 06:05pm
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I second the composter toilet, if your groundwater is that close, I'd be wary of putting an outhouse in. You can buy premade composters, or you can do a simple bucket system that is similar to an outhouse (the bucket takes the place of the earthen hole). If you look up "humanure" there is a ton of info out there. Congrats on finding a well that close to the surface!
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