Can you put a real hand dug well in your yard for decorative purposes?

Question

I have decided to put an actual well that is of the old fashioned type with rope and bucket. Not only for decorative purposes but also to help cut watering costs. It would provide water for some of my plants and I could cut electricity costs.

Answer 1

If you own the property, I think you can. You should ask the city just in case it's illegal or something.

Answer 2

I think you're going to have to have it covered or enclosed with a pump. You will probably have to have it drilled and just put the rope and bucket as a decoration. Check your local laws.

I know my brother found one on his property in Southern Ohio and he had to put a fence around it and cover it so someone wouldn't fall in.

With the stupid things people do these days you never know what's going to happen so be one the safe side and protect yourself.

Answer 3

You usually have to go 30 or 40 feet sometimes much more to have a working well of this type. Your talking about tapping into ground water, you'll need a well service to survey first. Unless your handy with a divining rod lol. I don't know about where your at but here It's a $5000 fine for digging a well with out proper city and county permits.

Answer 4

you can get a well but it will not be the old fashioned type.  You can get the well put in to help with the watering you just need to get the village permits.  There are probably no village or city that will allow a well wider than a few inches.  Check with your townhall.

Answer 5

Can't do the old fashioned wells any more.  They force you to shield the well.  We had a hand pump well dug, cost about $2000 and our water table is high.  A lot of the cost was shielding.  Even though we said it wasn't for drinking, the regulations say it has to be shielded.

Answer 6

Country or city?? Use rain barrels under the eves. Easier.