We bought an older house last year that came with a non-potable well for watering the yard. The cap has seen better days (close to fully breaking) and I’ve been thinking of building a treated wood surround of sorts with a wood cap. Would be nice for easier access on occasion instead of the heavy arse concrete lid. I plan to secure it with a lock but wondering if there are any other considerations to have?

• we don’t have kids so aside from a drunken friend trying open it security isn’t a huge concern
  
• since it isn’t potable/drinking water does it need to be sealed from the elements?
  
• assuming to protect the pump the lid should be water tight?
  

That’s about all I can think of. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

What type well do you have? Is there a drilled well head under your lid or is the cylindrical concrete your well casing?

 

Thanks for the reply Dane, it is cylindrical concrete.

 

Check with septic tank manufacturer's/suppliers in your area. Most will have replacement caps that can be retrofitted. A plastic one would be nice. They are held in place with screws and are much lighter and easier to move when you want to open up the well.

 

I can see the benefit of another lid. But I have heavy concrete lids like that on my septic tanks. They are exposed and are a bear to move, a real job for an old guy like me. But I actually like those because no one will ever accidentally remove those lids and fall in – including any kids (but like you I have no kids in the house, but I still worry).

The concrete lid on your well I think has that large (to me anyway) safety advantage – although a screwed on lid is pretty safe, but to me it’s not just the same.

The crack in your lid doesn’t look very deep. But I guess if it breaks and falls into your well that could be a big problem. But I would think the probability of it falling into your well while sitting there is near zero – and I think it would be very rare that you would need to touch that lid anyway.

But … it’s all opinion –lol. Just my 2 cents.

 

I could check into that, but any idea if I can build a cap myself without worry?

 

velosnow -

Sorry I couldn’t answer, but there was a big storm and I was without power for several days.

I know there are places that sell concrete covers. But unfortunately they don’t ship – you have to go and pick them up yourself (example below).

I guess the truth of the matter is that most people want to replace them with the plastic lids with risers on septic tanks because of convenience. But I guess I’m just the odd man out.

https://www.flemingtonprecast.com/re...-concrete-lids

But here is an article here on how to make your own concrete cover.

https://www.hunker.com/12004053/how-...e-septic-cover

I admit getting a plastic cover would be a lot easier and a lot of people do it, and it’s perfectly legal and so I guess it must be considered safe. So you certainly can’t say that’s a bad approach. Maybe I’m a worrywart who uses overkill, but I gotta be me … lol.

Good luck with whatever you do!

 

To answer your building your own question, I don't see any reason you couldn't build your own wood cover - as long as it's secure and won't break if someone is standing/jumping on it. Even though it's private property, there could be some liability if someone were to break it and fall in.

And even though it's not potable, I would still want well-sealed. You don't want dirt, rodents, etc. falling in either as it won't be good for the pump or anything else connected to it.

 

Appreciate the responses, I think I've found a design that I'm going to modify and make water tight. His is square but I'll make mine more octagonal perhaps. The turn buckles should keep it tight and I'll also use some rubber seals for the lid too. Bonus points in that I won't have to level the well itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29EprgQhe9A

Now - to get the pump working. Think I should replace that outlet?

 

Wow! So much to talk about in those photos.

I hope none of the forum's electricians come along.

 

Yeah, it's bad. Lot of work to do.

 

Also, what do you fly Dane?

 

An RV-6A with a Lycoming O-320 and fixed pitch prop. Very simple and fun.

 

That would be fun, haven't flown GA in a long time. In fact, haven't flown anything since March thanks to the pandemic. Housework it is.