Harrowsmith – June 2019

Harrowsmith Summer 2019 | 55

HOME & DESIGN: WATER WELLS

STEVE MAXWELL

If you’relookingtobuya ruralproperty,questionsabout

groundwater are one of the most important things you

can ask. It’s easy for less-than-honest people to hide

issues like insufficient, bad-tasting or contaminated

water in the area. Asking additional questions beyond

a real estate agent or the property owner may be the

most important water-related skill you’ll exercise. Finding

a property with safe, tasty and abundant groundwater

is more than half the battle. How deep do wells have to

go to find abundant water in this area? Is there sulphur

water, natural gas, a nearby landfill or other local

geological issues that might cause problems with water

quality? If you’re looking at buying a property with an

existing well, how deep is the well? What kind of well?

How far from the surface is the water?

Answers to these questions won’t make you a water

well expert, but it’s still important to understand the

basics of pumps, wells and the groundwater situation

where you live.

On a final note, one simple but important part of

managing a well is to collect and test water samples

regularly. Depending on the organization making the

recommendations, water from deep wells should be

tested at least once a year. Water from shallow wells and

surface sources should be tested with the change

of each season. H

Watertight Connections

Black polyethylene water pipe is the mainstay of intake lines and

water distribution systems in most rural regions, and screw clamps

tightened onto barbed metal connection fittings are the way joints

are made leak-proof. Trouble is, screw clamps alone won’t make

reliable connections on black poly pipe. You also need to heat and

soften the pipe with a propane torch or heat gun before tightening

the screw clamps down. If you don’t heat, you probably won’t

get a tight seal. You know you’ve heated the pipe enough when it

becomes noticeably softer and more pliable. A sufficiently heated

pipe also takes on something of a shiny sheen when it’s hot enough.

Have the loose screw clamps sitting on the pipe and ready to go before you heat, then bring the connection

together quickly, slide the clamps into position, then tighten them. Just to be safe, use two clamps per

joint, spending the little extra money for stainless steel clamps. Always use a socket wrench or nut driver to

tighten the hex head on a screw clamp. A screwdriver alone develops only marginal torque for this job.

Know your water system

Understanding the basics of your water well is the basis of the skills you’ll need to intelligently repair

your system or hire a professional.