Sunday, October 30, 2016

Going to the well

I've decided to stop talking about the lack of rain and the parched earth. I remember thinking last spring after weeks of rain – I'm getting tired of this rain. I would not articulate that thought, but I was tired of dashing from porch to the truck and feeling throughout the day that my skivvies feel as if they were starting to mildew.

Mother Earth must have read my mind and decided to grant me my unspoke wish. It hasn't rained more than a few drops in two months. I know people in California can sympathize, but I know they are happy it's raining and snowing there now.

This drought pushed me to complete a todo item that has lingered on my list too long – Put a Pump in the well down at the barn.

I spoke with my nephew Haven who is a plumber, and he told me what to do to get the ball rolling. I had to measure the distance down to the water table. Deeper wells require submersible pumps, but wells as shallow as mine take a less expensive type.

Today after lunch, I went down there with a length of rope. After removing the protective covering from the top of the well, I dropped the tubular bucket in its mouth and lowered it until I heard the echo reverberating up through the metal shaft.

A moment later came the slurping sound which told me the bucket was full. My nephew instructed me to lowered it another 10 feet just to make sure I didn't hit bottom. The well dropped like a stone, and I think I could have lowered it to China if I'd had enough rope.

Lifting the bucket out, I could hear it bumping the metal well wall on its journey upward. Resting the bucket on the top, I submerged my hand in the cool well water. It felt great on my hand.

I poured the water on a thirsty tree and laid the bucket down. Stretching the rope out on the flat ground, I pulled the tape measure from my pocket and measured how far I had lowered the bucket.
Forty feet. That meant I'd need the less expensive pump.

After coiling up my rope and storing the bailer in the barn, I sent my nephew a text and told him to order the pump. I hope to have well water by next weekend so that I can keep my fruit trees and blueberries alive without using the water that comes through my water meter. I know that restrictions are on the way and I don't want to be one of those people who take advantage of the drinking water that we all must share.

I can promise you this: It will be a long time before I whine about it raining too much.


10 comments:

  1. How lucky you are to have a well.
    Years back, in one of the states worst droughts, we were dependent on tank water. The tanks went dry, and we simply didn't have the money to have water trucked in.
    We showered at friends, brought water home to clean our teeth and boil a jug.
    And I never, ever complain about the rain.

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  2. I have read that even the aquifers deep below the ground are drying in some of our drought ravaged areas. You are fortunate to still have groundwater.

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  3. I expect a wet winter.

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  4. I'm enjoying the less raining days but it is getting dry down here to. I think it will be a wet Thanksgiving and Christmas when company comes. I can enjoy a cold holiday but rather it not be raining.

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  5. Come to think of it, we haven't had rain in at least 3 weeks. Thats not long enough to start complaining yet. The well story is really cool. Good for you! Now make a wish!
    Lisa

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  6. Good decision! It's back to basics - well water, and
    God knows what else.

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  7. Anonymous2:01 PM

    I'm not lucky enough to live where you can have a well!!

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  8. We only have well water so no meter here but we had a dry summer and thankfully the rains have returned. I do hope they head your way too. My family in Georgia is praying for rain also. Good luck with that pump!

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  9. An old saying: be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

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  10. Be careful what you wish for! LOL! Good luck with the well!

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