Water Well

[richkeys]

I have uncovered a large water well just outside my old farmhouse. I think its an agricultural well due to its size. Its beautifully made and old - it is marked on the OS map from 1850.
Does anyone have experience of wells? There is water at the bottom? Does it need cleaning out?

 

[Cubist]

For now just monitor the depth of the water after any heavy rainfall to see if the level is rising. If it does, continue monitoring to see if the level falls. Draw up a litre or two and have it tested to make sure there are no contaminants and then consider whether the well would be of any use to you in the future. Obviously you will need to make sure that animals and small people cannot fall into it.

 

[paulc]

Even if the water is not up to standard for drinking, it could still be used on the garden.

 

[Timlin]

I too have an old well in the garden, covered with paving slabs which we were going to remove but have left alone for noe in the interest of safety.
anyone re-instate one? How would I go about doing this