DIY Shallow Well - Set Concrete Culverts In The Shallow Well. Pt 2

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Using concrete culverts to build a cistern
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[@LiquidMusic1]

Makes me happy that you guys are able to make progress on this very major milestone. I know as soon as water is figured out it will make Cedar feel much better and i’m sure you’ll be happy that you provided that reality to your family!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Exactly!

[@myfavoritemartian1]

In 1974, We had a well drilled. Water at 360', hole to 500', 8" steel casing to 390', the last 40' was perforated. Submersible pump was hung on 1-1/4" galv. pipe to 380'. 1-1/2HP pump with foot valve and a sand box around it. (to keep 90% of the sand out). 1-110 Gal. tank, panel, controller. $10,000 USD (in 1974, remember) It lasted 11 months and stopped pumping. Driller pulled the pump and replaced it. 10 months later it stopped. I borrowed a small crane and Dad and I pulled the pump. When we bought the new one, it came with a plastic tube and some goo like stuff. (A water proof cover for the wiring splice for being under water)....... The old pump had NO water proof cover. Just plastic tape! We had to pull our pump out because it stopped working...18 years later. We needed new piping too. $2,500 USD later it was up and going again. 16 years later Dad died and I sold out and moved. The well was still going strong. MORAL: Just because the truck says "Well Drilling Company" don't mean they are any good at it. Do research before hiring anyone.

[@weedygarden]

The build of your house has been an amazing journey to watch. You are a hard working man who is building a wonderful house and home for your family. I have enjoyed all of the process.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@mlo6965]

A lot off hard work. Preparing for your family, what a good man. I've never seen a cement cistern, good to know. Your a blessing to your family. I'm 53 and could pray, hope for a mature man that knows as much as you do. Thank you for your great/informative video's!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you for watching!

[@Allankho]

Wow! good knowledge on how to build a shallow well - what an eye opener for a city boy. Thanks.

[@dworkx1]

You air plane story so inspiring! Sometimes in life when things are broken, you just gotta make due- Broke back mountain When it's your time to go, there's not much you can do about it- You 😓 loved this n thanks.

[@AmarShokherBagan]

I'm in London living on flat, don't know why I keen on watching this sort of vid --lol--

[@markmortensen4341]

The last few videos have been really informative to understanding just what it takes and how you go about doing this well so thanks! You talk about a lot of different things that you've worked at before and I'll bet you really glad to have had all those experiences over the years?! A lot of people don't realize how important it is to have different experiences. Just like those friends of yours that helped out, those young men not only gave you help but they learned a heck of a lot while doing it!! Thanks again for sharing your video and your thoughts.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you Mark!

[@vincemarquez2142]

Wow, this is quality content. Gives me some hope for humanity. Thank you and good luck to you

[@eamsden1982]

That’s the way I would do it.. The other benefit with having the storage is that if you have less solar in winter you can top the water tank(s) up and charge your batteries off the generator. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the install 👍

[@mandbhomestead]

Looking good, that big hurdle of water has been checked off the list. Congrats! Looking forward to seeing the solution to pumping and storage of the water. Thanks for sharing

[@marcmmclellan]

Glad to see you got the well in! You are such a hard worker! Looking forward to more videos!!!

[@genegoodman5233]

your cousin across the street was smart to buy the curvert with steps inside. I had just found his videos when he showed his new 30 foot sawmill. I've binged watched his complete set and found you through him. Now I'm watching you.

[@xkencx8191]

What is his cousins channel?

[@ustinman8446]

Getting closer and closer, Great progress. Can't wait till you move in .

[@RedPoppyRanch]

You and me both...

[@tbirdracefan]

Glad you got the culvert pieces in. Think your on the right track installing a storage tank uphill from the house. Using that setup will allow selection of a low gpm, higher head pump. It can use less energy which will be great being off grid. Also another important benefit is having a gravity water supply that can last a few days if its very cloudy or you dont have solar for a few days. It might be a good idea to put a float switch in the storage tank to turn on an alarm or light in a conspicuous location to alert you that the tank is not being replenished. I like your plan to finish and protect the well also. I was really looking forward to this video!.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you for watching!

[@ackack612]

Your determination is inspiring.

[@shartne]

That water when it settles out looks so clear and pretty. Cool idea on how your going to have pressure and solar too. Hope it works good for you.

[@robburke8867]

Wow. I'm impressed! You set the manhole by yourself. Well done.

[@christinedahlmann4295]

You are doing an awesome and amazing job making sure that you and your family will have all the water needs met. Enjoy watching all your videos.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@bless5116]

I agree with @White tiger; a water ram; genius simple technology no power required. You and your family are very hard working people. Congratulations on all you have achieved and thank you for your interesting and thoughtful videos documenting the journey so many of us are trying to negotiate. I have watched many of your videos and commend you for sharing the good and bad it is a difficult thing to do with little help and many fail. You should truly feel proud of what you have achieved.

[@kennethkirkham2471]

Our shallow well is similar but we used ADS HDPE Water Quality Unit (WQU) 3' diameter double wall, basically plastic. It was light enough that I could move it into the well easily. I drilled holes in the bottom 3 feet of the 12' length and placed in on about 2' layer of washed gravel. We back filled the hole with more washed gravel and the pipe ended up with 7' water depth and has been crystal clear after the first couple of months of use. Nice job and congratulations on getting water.

[@Rebecca-zr2zx]

Excellent Update Video. Boy there is alot of water in that shallow well! Love you bringing us along on the journey! Best video yet!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@waylonhartwell]

I like the idea of pumping it up the hill and using gravity to feed it down to the house afterwards in case you ever have an inverter fail then you will have water while you're inverter gets repaired or replaced so if you happen to be away from kids will have water

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Me too!

[@waylonhartwell]

Plus if you ever have a house fire inside the battery room you might have the chance at fighting the fire with the water stored in the cistern hopefully it never comes to that.

[@scottfoster2487]

Get a plastic septic tank riser. Ad a small 2 inch vent with 1 inch capped pipe with a cap for sanitation.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

On the rural property I used to live at we had 3 dams. One was two storeys deep. One hot summer day I decided that I would dive in and get cooled off. The moment I hit the water I regreted my decision, the water was so cold (even though it was a 42C day) that I was struggling to breathe, I dont think I have ever swam as fast as I did that day .. lesson learned.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Cold country... Cold water!

[@MELODYMUNRO]

I'm in a subtropical region of Australia where summer is hot and humid - so even in the subtropics, a dam can be freezing cold in summer.

[@user-lw5vg1zd6l]

good luck sir , subscribed can't wait to see the final results

[@AnaLopez-hq5ne]

Exactly our time is set.....stay safe

[@gingerlundgren-barron3594]

Its coming along great !!!

[@Downeastwaves]

Going the right direction for sure! Thanks fir sharing.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks for watching!

[@mysticdavestarotmachinesho5093]

What a wonderful video. Thanks for sharing.

[@larryceaser1706]

Looking forward to next week Hopefully it all comes together for you the way you have planned

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@arthurme1911]

Keep going it all looks great

[@CapnCrusty]

Look into "slow sand filters". They're cheap and effective at producing potable water from very dirty water sources and are easy to make. One or more of them could give you a way to always have safe drinking water without power if you have a way to get water into them.

[@sheilacarbrey5544]

Wow you taught me so much. I want to buy a property and will probably need to do this myself with help from friends ofcourse. Thanks so much.

[@scott-vq3qk]

keep on pushing man and stay safe.

[@stevenbiars6212]

I've got a spring on my property that flows year round about as much as yours. I'm going to install a similar setup to yours in the spring. I'm looking forward to using it to water my nearby garden.

[@wmcbarker4155]

some people aren't happy unless they're working their asses off, that's the working class

[@micahwatson9017]

Whatever you do, put in a 2" line from your storage tank to the front yard for a fire hydrant. You could also take the 2" straight into a dedicated fire sprinkler system in the house. It's cheap insurance against fire.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

We've also given this some thought.

[@renewableenergy9264]

I would pour gravel along the outside concrete.

[@KoalityofLife]

I wish I could dig a well where my property is. The wells in my area are around 400 feet down. Kinda hard to dig yourself. lol Thanks for sharing. :)

[@xlittleboy-7095]

My well is 20 feet

[@selador11]

Good job, little brother! On all of it!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks Buddy!

[@billyyamahaboy]

I bet your happy now you can turn on pump for your orchard even run a solar pump up too your gravity fed storage tank a good pump is grundfos

[@tuscansalvage9896]

Great job, Brother!

[@MrLouis79]

Good video as always.

[@inadollard6672]

Love watching your videos.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@beachlife1411]

Nice , glad you have water

[@wmcbarker4155]

be sure to have it tested, just saying

[@mmanut]

Happy for you, This was your biggest worry, hoping everything goes AOK. GOOD LUCK, It looks like you have it figured out 👍 Vinny 🇺🇸

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks Vinny!

[@noeeufracio3802]

wow! you got a beautiful place there. awesome videos by the way 👍

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@timtravasos2742]

Impressive job.

[@MrBugsier5]

good progress!

[@floydferguson5366]

Great video!

[@troy4998]

nice work mate

[@jeffdelano5084]

Keep up the great work

[@glenngoodale1709]

You are doing an awesome and amazing job ......

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@electrofelon]

I would definitely consider some kind of uv water treatment system either in the tank or at the home in addition to the various filters you'll have. I know there are drop in systems for large tanks but I'm not sure if they work well or not. I do know the ones for the home work very well.

[@davidriley8590]

very interesting enjoy watching your videos

[@ldomingo7415]

Awesome good job, I envy you I wanna leave the city life behind and get a ranch. 👍

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Very well made video

[@josephvilla7359]

Have heard that story about the model plane and retired person wasn't sure if it was race car driver that wife said to give it up or officer but I was told it about 15 years about . good work though👍👍👍

[@JourneyOnLife]

Wow, that's cool!

[@orion1two]

Be careful out there man, I broke my neck about 13 years ago. I'm not paralyzed but I am disabled constant pain and weakness. I could never do what you do but man I wish I could.

[@robertkrause4861]

You are an overcomer!!

[@TheRebelmanone]

The storage tank above house level like you said is a good ideal, if the electricity goes out for the day or night, you will still have water and water pressure. If you were in a pinch, you could use a tiny water turbine inline with the water inlet line to your house, to charge a cell phone or laptop, etc... when the electrical grid is down. While you run the water for a bath and dishes, it charges your stuff, in an outage, in a pinch.

[@HMDickson]

From the looks of that virgin overburden and cobble, the first thing I would want is a gold pan!!!! That is an ancient river bed!! Did you just dig a well in a gold mine? LOL!

[@MarkCartret]

Good job.

[@tomcleverley18]

For our Dairy Farm in CentralN.Y. we have an underground 10k gallon holding tank near our Dairy Barn that our (drilled 100 feet) well less than 20 feet from the tank feeds the tank as a float in the tank determines the need. This system was updated 3 years back to also take water from a spring that we pump water from the spring 4000 feet away to the buried holding tank. The spring has it's own holding tank as well and never runs dry. The spring will supply at over 10 gallons/ minute, and the well is faster than that to the buried holding tank. Both are on float switches and the well has become the back-up supply and we manually turn it on 1×/week to keep the pump from seezing up from lack of use. The holding tank at the farm supplies at a much higher rate if our 400 cows+youngstock need it, but the holding tank has a variable speed pump so it throttles up or down based on the demand. This usually keeps the cows happy and our water guy said that pumps last longer if they do not constantly start/stop, they prefer long runs. We went through alot of pumps in the buried holding tank before putting in the variable pump, the well pump has never had a problem as it had a long run time from the beginning 20 years ago. I didn't catch the capacity of your system, but you could over size your hill holding tank and have a back-up pump in your well and do virtually the same thing. GOD be with you.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you for the info...

[@williamkirkland265]

Hope your well work out

[@alanvaleandthelazyfarmer1930]

If you ever need to go deeper with the well, you can sludge it out but do it slowly even if you have to wait for the upper segments to drop.

[@jerreyhiatte7644]

thank God you did not get hurt

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Agreed!

[@gerardogonzalez3378]

I like the videos.. u have beautiful home

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@CynicalDad81]

I hope you’re going to only put rock half way up that culvert and then hard pack clay in the rest of the way up and mound the clay up around the top. Also cut a ditch around the uphill side of the whole thing directing ground water way away from this thing. 👍👍👍👍 Looking good boss!!

[@lenbrow9698]

nice one

[@TdrSld]

Great job, have a look a Pure Living for Life's gravity setup, for people that have never done one or massive plumping on that type of scale it turned out very well. Engineer775 also has some great videos on solar pump systems used on gravity feed tanks. I can't wait to see how you set this up, one of my joys in life is seeing how different people build things differently from other, I love see something I never thought of or would never have thought would work in the first place. You know it was a great day when you learned something useful for life!

[@johnhasse3995]

With that much line you will have a considerable 'ram effect'. That is, if you run things open, then turn it off fast, it will hammer something awful, building tremendous pressure.

[@ronhart4166]

30 psi is really common in our area.I think we have very good water pressure. I would think you would have enough pressure for a gravity system with the amount of grade you have. You may think about putting in a "BYPASS" around your pump incase you have an issue with the solar. At least you would still have water coming in the house :)

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I'm trying to cover all of my bases. The last thing I want is too get stuck without water in the middle of a snow storm.

[@sherrylock7376]

don't forget to have a few beer

[@codymunson5789]

I definitely would have either had someone with me while doing that, or dropped a rope ladder inside the well, and one around it after stacking each piece. That way if you did fall in you ha a possible escape route. Either way it got done safely and looks like a very viable option.

[@williamhustonrn6160]

Since your goal is off the grid with solar, personally if I was in your shoes, I would install the smallest 12v pump capable of pumping water from the bottom of the well to the top, should only require a 20-30watt pump power it off a cheap 12v solar panel with possibly an old 12v battery, then I would run buried pipe from the top of the well to the house, gravity will feed it to the house, then install a on demand pump at the house to pressurize the house water circuit with possible storage tank for capacity needed in a days use. This would limit your electrical needs the expensive side and allow you to have a supply of water constantly pumping to the house every day.

[@alandoherty9966]

Busy week ahead enjoy

[@RedPoppyRanch]

yessir!

[@FelonyVideos]

I would grout the lifting holes just to try and prevent bio contamination during rain events. You never know, that water might be drinkable raw if the well stays sealed.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

They are sealed.

[@MrBoo1963]

Just remember that if God has a plan for you, you'll not die right away. I am a survivor of such a thing. You did a great job on your well.

[@MrHunterseeker]

If your pumps don't keep up with your water flow, you can contact your local fire department and they will pump it out for you with their pump trucks, they might ask for a small donation but they pumped my parents well out 3 times (we used clorox bleach between each pumping to disinfect the well after it got contaminated with flood waters).

[@46lfries]

I seen an airlift pump in Australia send water way up the hill in a tank

[@kaseymccleary946]

I'm not a "my way or the highway" commenter but I just want to agree with some others and recommend you don't get rid of the backhoe. You can rent a large mini excavator weekly to fill needs. IMO the backhoe is just too versatile. If the excavator is a large one and the price is right possible have that and a skid steer or loader tractor? Either way I know it will work, just my suggestion.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@kennethjohnson9169]

+Red Poppy Ranch Heath, I know they are a bit pricey, but I personally would close that up with a commercial manhole cover. We all know that they are designed to take a beating and it will give you ample room to get down in the well with a ladder if you ever need to dredge, retrieve a pump or to shock the well. You can easily open the well but it is more or less kid and critter proof. Also you can open it without digging or using heavy equipment like you would need with a cement lid.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I agree but there are holes in it where mice could get in it. I will cast my own concrete lid that over laps and seals the cistern. The manhole was $250 as well.

[@paulsperbeck617]

First time commenting, great project! I don't know if I could walk across your property at 5000 feet of elevation. You might want to re-cipher your pressure calculations though. All you get is .433 psi per foot of head. I like the idea of using an integrated package. As retired master plumber I can sympathize with you regarding building a package system vs buying one. It's hard to think of every detail, and it's often more efficient to use someone else's experience when in new territory. The object is to get water, not gain expertise in designing a system. +1 Micah W @ Shelby J. the 600 feet is the length of the pipe, not the elevation

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks for your comment!

[@dropshot1967]

I would go for the second option of the storage tank 100 ft above the house. If possible I would bury the storage tank to help with preventing freezing your water and waterlines. The added bennefit of this is that if you can install a second waterline for use in your garden and as a firehose in case of a fire. If the storagetank is large enough you could install a direct solar pump that works directly on solar panels to top of your storagetank during the day without creating a load on your batteries. Don't forget that your filtration system will take down the waterpressure somewhat, and that you need to account for the waterpressure at the washingroom (top floor)

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks!

[@Poepad]

It is 27ft per 10 psi, 100 feet will not do it

[@robertdinatale3632]

You might want to add coal and different grade of agragate to filter the water. The coal will take out chemicals if the water.

[@polecat1337]

40/60 psi pressure switch is the norm these days. atleast here in Arizona

[@kobelcofan]

Can't wait to see the excavator working.

[@55dionysus]

It runs as a siphon from the tank on the hill to the cabin?

[@williamkraft5574]

Myself, not knowing anything about wells, I found your pursuit of finding water quite enjoyable and I'm learning everyday. Towards the end of your video you mentioned 6 ply plastic, rock and landscaping fabric. In which order will you fill the inside of your well?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

fabric on the bottom.

[@williamkraft5574]

Thank you for the quick reply :) Great job on finding water

[@kane100574]

Awesome, man... Are you going to put a pitcher pump at the well also? They come in handy (just in case, for whatever reason you need to get the water by hand) and relatively cheap to put in. You already did the hard part. lol

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I considered this for livestock...

[@Spadedinthe801]

Awesome videos! I just found you the other day and the content is amazing! If you don't mind me asking, which part of Idaho are you guys at? The wife and I have also been looking at buying some property up in Idaho as well but we are not too familiar with the area.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

South eastern. Thanks for watching!

[@lowlifechris5833]

I work with 2000#bulls & 1000+#cows And barbwire everyday but it’s heaven 365/24/7

[@noobtrooptube9452]

hi, years later. hows the water in the well? would it make any difference if we put sand around the culvert? would it function like a filter?

[@72hourbob61]

Have you given any thought to using a Plastic Manhole Cover on top of your concrete pipes to keep crap out? Looks like it would be easy to add service openings for wiring / pump. Just kind of shooting from the hip.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I'm going to make one out of concrete.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

not trying to be lazy on my end, but did you dig again where you originally water witched and dug the first time?? I have been busy and didn't catch the digging video

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Different spot but not too far away.

[@randyfisher6108]

where did ya buy the concrete stuff for you well i cant seem to find these

[@Poepad]

I was wondering why you did not seal in between culverts. I would think you only want the water coming in from the bottom to avoid surface run off. I would use the tank on top of the hill, using a solar pump. From working with water system. Every 27 feet equals 10 PSI. You need at least 40psi, Good luck.