Well and Septic on hunting land

[charliepete2]

I recently bought some hunting land that has a trailer and electricity. I'm looking to make upgrades a little at a time and in the end I'd like to have a small cabin with water and a septic. I don't have the cash to get it all done at once, so I figured I'd go at it piece mail. First off I'm thinking I'll get a well drilled and maybe make a small pumphouse. I don't want to bother with running water into the trailer, but it would be nice to have it on the property. I'm wondering what types of things I shoulder consider. I'm thinking folks here have probably had this done before and I'm completely green on the subject.

[bigyooper]

I would look at doing a composting toilet.

a friend has one in MI, he paid around 500 for it. He has had it for a couple years now and has never had to empty it.

they are a great deal for a small cabin.

[BLACKJACK]

Consider what you're going to do when it gets cold out so that your pump and pressure tank don't freeze and making the draining of pipes easier. Nowadays, they put the pump right in the well head and if you were building a house, they'd put the pressure tank into the basement. In your case, you'll need some sort of pit, make sure its deep, with a good cover, and electricity so you can heat it. Whoever drills your well should be able to point you in the right direction. You biggest expense will be the well, they charge by the foot. See how deep most wells in your area go. Good luck!

[backlash 1]

You'll be just fine with a pump house. Just have the well company bring up the 1" poly pipe (water line) where you plan to put your pump house. Hire a plumber to set the pressure tank for you, and make sure he sets it up to drain, which would mean to put a 1" galvanized tee on top of the poly,1" nipple and union to the tank tee, and a 1" nipple and cap straight up out of the tee. I am assuming you will use it through hunting season and then drain down. So when you drain it one of the steps will be to take off the 1" cap and run a air compressor hose straight down into the poly about 10 ft and blow out the water.

Just insulate the pumphouse and use an electric heater on thermostat.

As far as running water to your trailer----- Very simple, just hook a garden hose to the boiler drain on the tank tee.

(until freezing weather, of course)

Good luck

[Walleye Guy]

My cabin neighbor just drilled a new 4 inch well and bothe the pressure tank and the well reside inside the well casing. It is really slick. I don't know if it costs more but it is definitely worth checking into.

[DinnerPail]

We had a well put in at our sportsman club last summer and the pressure tank is inside the well casing. No pump house, not woory about freeze up. I don't know how small of a casing you can do this with. Worth looking into.

[backlash 1]

Being a plumber for the last 15 yrs, I have never heard of or seen such a thing, in this neck of the woods. Not to say it is not available, but I would have some questions.

1. Is it suitable for a full scale house, if you would decide to do that someday.

2. Water has to be delivered above ground somewhere, how do you prevent it from freezing?

3. Air bladders do not last forever, what will the cost be to replace it verses a standard pressure tank?

[3pronghook]

Im in the well business and work in the Brainerd area. I would gladly help you design something to suit your needs. first you need the well. Setting the pump system up is where the options are. You can call my cell 218-820-7449 and I can answer questions and provide ideas.

[Walleye Guy]

Backlash,

I believe my neighbors pressure tank is 10 gallons. He has a premanufactured house with a full basement. Two fulls baths and probably 2000 Square feet. I believe the tank is stainless steel and it fits inside of the 4 inch well casing. I am not a plumber so I cannot comment on capacity, On the surface it appears to be a pretty sweet set-up. Time will tell.

WG

[charliepete2]

Thanks for the all the information so far. I found a HSOforum from UW Steven's Point that had a few of the options for wells. It had some do's and dont's as well. If anyone comes across post in the future maybe it will help out as well.

WI DNR Well Guide