How to Dig a Water Well by Hand

Hand-digging a well is a dangerous but inexpensive way to create a source of water.

Digging a water well by hand is physically demanding and dangerous, but if you expect that water is less than 20 feet from the surface and the soil is not apt to collapse, hand-digging is an inexpensive but labor-intensive alternative to hiring a commercial drilling rig.

Shallow hand-dug wells can easily become contaminated with polluted surface water if they're lined with field-stone. You can use pre-cast concrete lining starting almost from the bottom and extending above ground to minimize the risk of contamination.

If you're inexperienced, consult with someone who's knowledgeable about your particular type of soil before attempting to hand-dig a well.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mattock
• Digging rod
• Tripod and pulley
• Bucket
• Ladder
• Curbing

Instructions

1. Plan the circumference of the well. A narrow well means you'll need to remove less dirt but you'll also have less room to work; a diameter of 4 to 6 feet is recommended. Mark the circumference. Dig with a shovel, use a mattock to cut through hard soil and roots and a digging rod or crowbar to break up and pry out rocks. Put the dirt into a bucket to lift out of the well. Climb in and out of the well on a ladder.

2. Install curbing of modern steel shutters to reinforce the well while you're digging if there's any danger of soil collapse. Only a shallow well in very solid soil is reasonably safe to dig without appropriate curbing. Consult with local experts who are familiar with your soil for advice on the danger of collapsing soil and the strength of reinforcement you'll need.

3. Erect a sturdy tripod above the well hole when you can no longer toss the dirt out by hand. Hang a pulley from the top of the tripod. Run a strong rope or cable over the pulley and attach it to a bucket. Lower the bucket to the bottom of the well and fill it with dirt while you're digging. When it's full, have a helper haul the bucket up, dump it in a wheelbarrow and carry it away. Lower the bucket and repeat the process.

4. Continue digging until water begins to seep into the well, as long as you can continue safely.

5. Install the final lining. You can use pre-cast concrete rings, concrete blocks or bricks which you lay by hand, or you can pour concrete lining in a temporary wooden form. The goal is to allow a small open area at the bottom where underground water can seep in from the surrounding soil, while sealing the rest of the well with a waterproof lining to at least one foot above the surface, to prevent surface water from leaking into the well and contaminating it.

Tips & Warnings

• Hand digging a well is extremely dangerous because of the risk of collapsing dirt, falling objects, sudden influx of water, poor air quality and numerous other hazards. You should only undertake it after consulting with experienced persons who are familiar with hand-digging wells in your particular type of soil and who can show you the best way to minimize the risks. Wear a hard-hat and erect a barrier around the top of the well to prevent unsupervised people from approaching.

References

• "How to Live in the Woods"; Sam Martin, Christian Casucci; 2007
• "Storey's Basic Country Skills"; M. John Storey, Deborah Burns; 1999
• "American Agriculturist"; Digging, Stone, and Curbing Wells; 1865
• "Water for the World"; Constructing Hand Dug Wells, Technical Note No. RWS 2.C.1
• "Wells Construction: Hand Dug and Hand Drilled"; Peace Corps; 1980