When it comes to water and plumbing for farms and rural areas, there are some unique challenges to be aware of. While a home in the city or suburbs has the basic water requirements for day to day needs, such as cooking, washing, and watering a small garden, the needs of farms and rural properties tend to be much greater. Whether it is for use in the home, care of animals, or for irrigation systems, having adequate plumbing is essential to those living in rural areas.
Rural Water Supply
In most cases, the water source will either be a drilled well, or a bored well. A drilled well consists of a 6” diameter steal pipe, which is drilled into the bedrock. The depth ranges between approximately 50-100 feet. A bored well consists of a 3ft diameter concrete casing, which is dug into the earth (not bedrock). The depth ranges between approximately 10-70 feet. In either case, the well should be located a safe distance away from any potential contaminates, and should be constructed on the best possible site for ample water supply. Your well boring or drilling company will guide you in determining the best location on your property to situate the well.
Plumbing Equipment
There are three main types of well pumps that are used to supply you with water from your well. The first, and most commonly used pump now a days, is the submersible pump. This pump can be used in a well of any depth. The submersible pump is located directly in your well, pushing water from the well to your house or barn. Submersible pumps can deliver the most volume of water and pressure to your house/barn, etc., so they are a popular choice. Submersible pumps are also easier to repair than some of the other pump options, which can keep maintenance costs down.
The second type of pump that can supply you with water from your well, is the deep well jet pump. The deep well jet pump is located in the basement of your house. This pump would be used for a well that ranges in depth from 25-100 ft. Deep well jet pumps used to be a popular choice for rural home owners, but are now often replaced with submersibles, due to the higher cost of repair and maintenance.
The third type of pump that can supply you with water from your well, is the shallow well jet pump. The shallow well jet pump is also located in the basement of your house. This pump would be used for wells that range in depth from 0-25 ft. The shallow well jet pump can also be used to draw water from a cistern.
Back-up Water Supply
When water requirements are in high demand, perhaps due to irrigation needs, or farm animal requirements, there are a couple of common options to provide you with the supply that you need. The first option is housing a water cistern on your property. A cistern is a concrete reservoir, buried underground, which holds a large volume of water. Many farmers and rural property owners choose to keep this as a back-up option for times when demand is high or when water is low (due to dry weather, etc.). Also, some people use a cistern as their primary source of water on the property, if for instance, their well water is not of good quality or inadequate.
The second back-up water option that many rural property owners use, is to draw water from a natural source, such as a pond, located on the property. Permits may be required when you are taking water from a natural resource as such.
While plumbing for farms and rural areas does have certain challenges, an experienced professional who specializes in this type of plumbing will be able to advise and assist you to ensure that your system meets your needs. At Ward’s Water Pumps & Plumbing, we understand the why and the how of those plumbing challenges, and we invite you to contact us to discuss any issues regarding your rural or farm property.
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