Hi all
Thought I would introduce myself properly being a newbie here. Myself and my husband live on 9 acres outside of Kingston in a 1885 farmhouse with 4 very large dogs. Between us we have about 50 yrs of military experience and multiple operational tours - due to having seen various places in the world where SHTF and how people attempt to survive we have been preppers and planners for a long time.
When we moved to our current home we planned and built an addition to enhance our capability in the event of lack of power. Installed a large wood stove (Aderly by Pacific Energy) which heats the whole house in conjunction with some strategically placed vents and a concrete floor (hey, I was called out for the ice storm!). We can also cook and bake on this, I recently acquired an antique oven that sits on top (similar to this one http://woodcookstovecooking.blogspot.ca/2012/11/using-stovetop-oven-on-wood-cookstove.html?m=1 , good blog re wood stove cooking). We have a genny, dehydrator (learning), gardens, do canning (beginner), rain barrels etc and the knowledge and capability for hunting and home defence.
So you ask what is the issue.... Well I'm concerned about our well. It's a typical drilled well with electric pump, no power, no water. We are looking at having it rewired in order to plug into the genny for short term requirements but I'd like a good old fashioned well pump. So the search is on, and I found this company http://www.bisonpumps.com/ and it looks like this will work for us but I have a request for advice from the members here:
a. First what are your thoughts on well pumps in general? Anyone have one, pros/cons
b. should we install it right on the well head which is located about 10 m from the back door?
c. What about security if required? Should we even be concerned?
d. Or should we install it in the house in the basement (note the "basement" is actually a low headroom space on a big hunk of the Canadian Shield)?
e. or rejigg the laundry room (main floor off the kitchen) to add the pump there?
We do store water (about 50 gal pottable) and we have access to a small pond on the property. Am I going overboard or do you think a pump is a viable and practical plan? Advice is requested and welcome please!
🙂
you can never go overboard with water, without it there is no tomorrow.
There are some solar water pumps, you might want to look into wind water pumps as well. Depending on your loc-stat will determin the security and opsec that is needed for both your farm and your water. I am not a fan of any well that is open though, so covering it with a lock would be priority for me.
Those who know me, know that i am a huge fan of old fashioned simplicity.
Those Bison pumps, or a similar one, are perfect when all else fails.
This is were you draw on your experience. Plan A (hydro 1) plan B (generator), plan C (solar panels), plan D (hand pump). The more tools in your tool box, the easier it is.
My mother grew up on a farm. No hydro and no running water. Now they did have a water pump in the kitchen. That would be my preference. But, the moral of the story is that they lead good lives without all our modern conveniences.
you can never go overboard with water, without it there is no tomorrow.
There are some solar water pumps, you might want to look into wind water pumps as well. Depending on your loc-stat will determin the security and opsec that is needed for both your farm and your water. I am not a fan of any well that is open though, so covering it with a lock would be priority for me.
thanks very much for the int, any suggestions where to look for solar or wind pumps? my husband agrees with the security assessment!
what about a water pumping windmill and a cistern?
http://www.berryhill.ca/searchresults.asp?cat=1933
*edit* patriot beat me to it...
I'm not sure if someone in Canada could build "old russian well" but in my opinion this is one of the simplest and most effective ways to have emergency water supply 🙂 Here is plan how to build it 
I can’t help you much with non electric pumps (I have a cisterns on my property for emergency water) I would like to mention that everyone should test your water at least 3 times a year (after a big rain storm is best.) It’s a free service offered by public health Ontario.
http://www.wellaware.ca is an Ontario program offering free advice on well ownership. They may have some information.
thanks all for the advice and info, looking into some more options now. will keep you posted
Mr & Mrs W - yup bet we have been simalar places! ma bybe at the same time!
damn auto correct....
got a plan
a. first will get a pony box wired up to use pump with geny (short term)
b. purchasing a bison well pump, renovating the downstairs bath/laundry to accomodate hand pump
c. looking at solar hot water options and solar power for pump
d. going to try my hand at "water witching" and hope to add a dug well elsewhere on the property
got a plan
a. first will get a pony box wired up to use pump with geny (short term)--How far north Of kingston are you..Might be able to help out with this..
Quick suggestion.. replace pump with grundfos soft start 120 volt pump..any gen or inverter will be able to start and run it..Second.consider a battery bank and inverter with auto transfer..gens can be audible for miles on a calm day, and its a pan to run the gen every time you want water..1500 watt inverter with small batt bank can be recharged when its tactically safe. As for solar panels and windmills remember that Google earth and the likes are going to make your setup available to the world.. a quick scan across South frontenac and I can find 30 spots with stuff that would be shinny in a SHTF situation.
b. purchasing a bison well pump, renovating the downstairs bath/laundry to accomodate hand pump..you can put a wye and valves to accomodate a number of difernet pump. but when all else fails.. 100 ft of garden hose with two check valves will make a jigger pump, never fails....
c. looking at solar hot water options and solar power for pump--
d. going to try my hand at "water witching" and hope to add a dug well elsewhere on the property.. If your close to where I am I can show you how..spent some time with the rangers up North..
Patriotkings
Chimo...
When All else fails--BIP--
Bailer bucket for me. Primative and reliable. Here is an example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lto_rSFppfw