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Identifying a well or cistern

 
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I bought property where we will be building... Was told by the real estate agent there was a well on it, I found something that would be it. The neighbors, however, say they don't recall a well on the place, maybe it's a cistern? Many years ago, before the house (which burned) was built, the guy ran cattle in that area, they think it might be an underground cattle watering cistern. They could be wrong, they could be right. How can I tell what this is?

What I can see is a about 4 inch casing with a wire in it, going down, a pipe with faucet on it coming up, and a cement splash pad that looks (from the weathering)  like it's at least 40 years old. The pad slopes towards downhill, is about 6 foot across. I have not had time yet to run a wire and see if the pump works. What am I looking for when I have time to figure this out?

Thanks for any advice!!
 
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Maybe you could unthread the facet and try to drop a washer on a strong down in the pipe. If it just does down just 10 feet-ish it's probably a cistern and further is probably a well. Might at least be a starting point.
 
Pearl Sutton
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Took a pic of what I can see:

and  I swear one of these days I'll learn to post a pic without it taking 43 tries...
 
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The best money we spent when we bought our property was what we paid a well person to come out and tell us about our well.  That picture looks to have electric running to it so that just might be a well with a pump.  Call around and ask what they would charge to come out.
 
Pearl Sutton
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The more I look at it (as I walk by it, haven't had time to actually look yet) I am inclined to believe it's a well. There's no way to fill it if it's a cistern, the ground levels are wrong for cistern, but probably perfect for a well... that area is on a downhill slope, limestone at about 6-7 feet down. That's excellent well territory... One of these days I'll have time to run a cord to it and check the pump. If it don't work, I want a wind turbine to raise the water Not a fan of electric pumps buried deeply.
Mostly, if it's not a cistern I have less problems with the house design, it's close to the house, and I'm dancing around in that area with patios etc
 
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