[Shop-talk] Well water installation

[Roland Wilhelmy]

In our part of the country some lizards carry giardia, I learned from
direct experience.  At least when they are dead in your water tank
it't time for a couple of gallons of bleach.

-Roland

On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:41:52 -0400, Jim wrote:

::I had a spring tank system that worked well for about 30 years without a
::problem.  I kept the spring enclosed and always had "spring lizards"
::(salamanders) in it.  They are very sensitive creatures and are like the
::canary in the mine on warning of problems with the water.  The people in
::the country around here used these automatic water tester-cleaners for
::generations without problems.  The water from my spring tank was always
::very clear and clean but it was very acid.  I had to install a injector
::pump to get the pH up to acceptable levels.  I was dissolving my copper
::pipes.
::
::Then a new neighbor drilled a well about 300 feet from my spring and my
::flow rate dropped dramatically. During a dry period it almost stopped.
::Fortunately the county had put in water lines about 500 yds through the
::wood on an adjacent road.  I connected to the water line for a more
::reliable source.  My spring system has since returned to a very good
::flow since the neighbor moved and the new owner is only an occasional
::resident.  So I have a reserve if needed.
::
::I would be cautious of drilling a well too close to the spring or you
::could loose the spring.  If you have a good reliable flow from the
::spring I would build a good shelter enclosing the spring, get some
::lizards and a pH tester and use it.  That assumes the lizard is alive
::and well.  The enclosure should keep out most of the surface water silt
::and critters.  I use screen wire on the inlet side of the tank.