| Log Cabin Building Tip: Locating and Installing a Water | | | | You want a pervious wall that will let water in. The |
| Sourcefor your Log Cabin | | | | upper partof the wall must be water-tight to prevent |
| Water is one of the most important things that you | | | | contamination. Thiswall should be about 10 feet high |
| will need foryour camp. It can be the hardest or the | | | | and extend about I foot abovethe ground. If you |
| easiest thing to find. Aclear lake and a bucket is the | | | | can install your pump within 22 feet verticaldistance |
| cheapest way you'll be able to geta good supply. It is | | | | of the normal water level, use a shallow-well jet. |
| important that the water you use be freefrom | | | | Reciprocating, or centrifugal pump lifts greater than |
| harmful bacteria. Taste is no substitute for a test of | | | | 22 feet |
| gooddrinking water. | | | | (sea level) will require a deep-well jet or reciprocating |
| Local health authorities are usually willing to test the | | | | pump. |
| waterfor you. Other agencies that will tell you | | | | In the illustration you will note that the upper 10 feet |
| whether the water issuitable include State Health | | | | of thedug well is filled with earth. A watertight slab is |
| Departments, County Health Offices,and Health | | | | placed overthe pervious lower section. If you use this |
| Hygienic Laboratories. | | | | type of construction,be sure to include a pipe sleeve |
| Now let's get back to the problem of how we're | | | | large enough to install thewater pipe and foot valve. |
| going to getrunning water into your camp without | | | | Also install a vent pipe. Cast some hooks in the slab |
| depending upon some leaks inthe roof. Water can be | | | | so that youwill have something to hold on to as you |
| obtained from a dug well, a bored well, adrilled well, | | | | lower it into place. Itwill be heavy. This type of well is |
| or from surface sources such as lakes, springs, | | | | similar to a dug one, exceptthat instead of digging a |
| orcisterns. | | | | large hole, you dig one of smalldiameter. A well borer |
| A dug well is usually used where rocky soil prohibits | | | | or earth auger is used to make a hole downto water |
| the use ofa driven well, and where water can be | | | | level. |
| reached by simpleexcavation. Basically it is a hole in | | | | This system works best in firm sand, clay, or light |
| the ground. Perhaps thefirst thing to do in building a | | | | gravel. Theborer looks like a double shovel and has a |
| dug well is to inquire from yourneighbors whether | | | | handle about 4 feetlong. As you go down, additional |
| they have used this type of water source. | | | | lengths of pipe are added to thehandle. Digging is |
| If their report is satisfactory, you should start | | | | done by forcing the borer into the ground |
| considering thebest location for such a well. Be sure | | | | andtwisting the handle. As the double shovel is filled, |
| that it is located atleast 100 feet from your sewage | | | | lift theearth out and empty. Keep going till you reach |
| system and drain field. It shouldalso be located on | | | | water. |
| higher ground. | | | | When you find water, line the hole with large steel |
| Having found the best location, start digging a hole | | | | pipe orvitrified tile. Use an internal grapple to lower |
| about 4 feetin diameter. As you dig, be sure that | | | | each section oftile into the hole. This lining should |
| you use cross braces tokeep the upper earth in | | | | extend a little aboveground to keep out surface |
| place. Eventually you will (maybe) reachwater. The | | | | water. Use a concrete platform at thetop as shown |
| lower section of the well should be lined with brickor | | | | in the illustration. |
| stone. Do not use mortar. | | | | |