How might I detect the location of an old water well on my property?

Question

My home was built in the 1840's - long before the municipal water supply was installed. I've been thinking of having a water well drilled to supply my irrigation needs, but I'm certain that prior well(s) existed somewhere on the property.

QUESTION: How I could detect an existing, capped well under the surface of my yard?

Answer 1

I laughed when I first heard this and didn't believe it until I tried it. Divining Rods. To try it I turned my back to the street with my son in law beside me to keep any one from seeing what I was doing. Take two metal coat hangers and straighten them as much as possible, then bend both at one end about two inches from the end. Hold them in one hand with the bent tops touching and very closely walk where you think the well might be. I tried it to find a sewer pipe and every time I crossed the pipe the two rods crossed. Okay now laugh,but it did work. I'm told the rods finds a void, not water.

Answer 2

Every state/region has some agency that stores a data base of existing water rights. I'm guessing if you call your local public library, they might know the name of the water rights board, or whatever name they go by in your state :)

From there, you can call the agency and give them your address or a legal description and see if that have something on file. Of course, the water right has probably long expired ~ but maybe the info is still on microfiche or something. Sometimes in the case of a well, there is a description of where the well is located on the property ~ we had to include this information with our well water rights when renewing it some 20 years ago.

I'm presuming the abandoned well was probably capped with a metal lid ~ People who metal detect as a hobby love rooting around old properties just for the fun of it. Perhaps you can find a metal detecting club in your area and ask them to tootle around the property.

Since digging a new well is rather expensive, it's definitely worth trying to locate the old one, especially if you just plan on using it for irrigation.

Answer 3

Get a No Cost Background Check Scan at https://biturl.im/aUNij

Its a sensible way to start. The site allows you to do a no cost scan simply to find out if any sort of data is in existence. A smaller analysis is done without cost. To get a detailed report its a modest payment.

You may not realize how many good reasons there are to try and find out more about the people around you. After all, whether you're talking about new friends, employees, doctors, caretakers for elderly family members, or even significant others, you, as a citizen, have a right to know whether the people you surround yourself with are who they say they are. This goes double in any situation that involves your children, which not only includes teachers and babysitters, but also scout masters, little league coaches and others. Bottom line, if you want to find out more about someone, you should perform a background check.

Answer 4

Not sure where you live or the codes there. When I had a well dry up in Florida, and a new well drilled, I was required to fill in the old well pipe with concrete. Also had to be inspected. You may be able to go through County records for previous wells drilled on the property.

Answer 5

Old Water Well

Answer 6

you could try a metal detector, or an iron prod.... is there a septic on site as well?? usually they are on opposite sides of the house...

If all else fails, call a plumber... $$$$$$$

Answer 7

Divining rods do work. If you arent sure how to do it ask any old person that grew up on a farm or ranch.