A fountain in the garden can not only look beautiful, but can also be used to water the plants. Read how to create a fountain here.
On hot, dry summer days, it can quickly become tight for the plants in the home garden when the rainwater that has accumulated in the bin is slowly running out. If the hobby gardener wants to preserve the blooms and prevent the harvest from falling into the water due to prolonged drought, he is forced to use tap water. How practical would it be to have your own well and thus your own domestic waterworks so that the water supplies do not dry up? Getting water from your own source is not only extremely practical, it also saves you money. We will now tell you how easy it is to drill wells yourself and what you need to bear in mind.
Why drill wells yourself?
Water from the tap is expensive. Drilling wells too, you may now reply. Not necessarily, because drilling your own well pays for itself quickly and also costs a lot less than having a professional water point built. However, drilling wells cannot really be fully recommended. Because in a rather small garden, it is only worth using the drill if the groundwater level is no more than six meters deep. Digging into greater depths with heavy technology is only worthwhile on correspondingly large properties.
Tip: The respective water supplier will inform you about the groundwater level on your property. In most cases, the corresponding values can also be called up online.
May you drill a well in your own garden?
This varies from municipality to municipality. In any case, you need to be clear about this on an individual basis. It is usually sufficient to simply register the well construction free of charge.
Wells are generally subject to approval in Germany
Anyone who fails to report a groundwater well to the water authorities can expect fines of up to 50,000 euros. If the well is to be used for drinking water, a separate permit is required.
Well water may be used without permission as follows:
- as irrigation water for watering plants
- as flushing water for the toilet
- as washing water for the dishwasher or washing machine
Tip: Unregistered wells that are only used for irrigation are also considered an administrative offense under German law.
Not only does the construction of a new well have to be reported, but there is also an obligation to report if you put old wells back into operation or make structural changes in this context.When registering, you will be asked for various details
- What type of fountain do you use?
- Where does the well water come from?
- Do you also give the well water to third parties?
- What is the well water used for?
- How is the water discharged?
Can I drink my well water?
Drinkable quality water doesn't come cheap. We pay about two euros for one cubic meter of water. In order to make the water bill more moderate in the future or even to avoid it completely, the idea arises of not only watering the plants with the well water, but also using it as drinking water. However, well water must not automatically be used as drinking water. Anyone who intends to do this must contact the local he alth department. The further procedure on site is different. Some authorities are satisfied with looking at the water analysis. If the he alth department takes it particularly seriously, you must expect that inspections will be carried out. This involves costs of varying amounts.
Fountain Types
You can create different wells on your property. The following well types are common:
Article well
Drilled wells are almost indestructible. A well filter pipe is let into the groundwater. This pipe is covered with filter gravel. Another, solid-walled pipe, which is used for the actual water transport, then extends to the earth's surface. Drilled wells have a depth of six to a maximum of 20 meters. The diameter is 30 centimeters. You can easily operate a toilet in your own garden with the amount of water supplied. The costs for the professional construction of a drilled well amount to around 1,300 to 1,500 euros.ramming well
Ramming or percussive wells are comparatively easy to create and also inexpensive to implement. Ramming wells are quite easy to create yourself. need for thisan electric ram, which can be borrowed from specialist companies. Use this to ram a metal pipe into the ground.Warning: Check the depth of your water table. This should not exceed a depth of seven meters for this type of well.
A hand pump is usually used. So you don't need an extra power source. The flow rate is rather low and is not enough, for example, to feed a toilet in the garden with it. The delivery pipes only have a limited service life and should be replaced about every six years, otherwise there is a high risk that the pipes will become clogged. The cost of a ramming well is around 300 euros.
Shaft Well
Put simply, a dug well is a waterhole. If you dig a hole on the beach, you will experience a similar effect, the water will seep again and again until it is level with the water table. In the Middle Ages, many of these fountains could be found on castle grounds. Hence the name "fairy tale fountain". Despite their longevity, dug wells are almost out of fashion today. If at all, they are only laid out with concrete rings. The amount of water pumped is relatively small. On the other hand, there is a high price. The system can cost you up to 5,000 euros.| Fountain Type | Advantages | Disadvantages / heyday |
|---|---|---|
| Article well | ✔ durable ✔ high flow rate | ✘ quite high costs (about 1,500 euros) |
| ramming well | ✔ easy to put on ✔ cheap to buy (about 300 euros) | ✘ Limited pump path ✘ Delivery tubes need to be replaced |
| Shaft Well | ✔ durable ✔ reliable | ✘ low production rate ✘ high costs (around 5,000 euros) |
Create well
If you look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of well, it quickly becomes clear that an artesian well is best suited for your own garden.
Ideal location for the fountain
An artesian well will accompany you for many years. The location should therefore be carefully considered. The well should be installed where the groundwater is closest to the ground. Of course, the nature of the floor and the look also play a role. At its location, the fountain should not be perceived as disturbing. Practical aspects also play a role. You certainly don't want to have to take detours to transport the water through the entire gardenand the garden hose should also reach the beds, bushes or trees that you want to water with it after it is connected to the fountain.
What do I need to drill the well?
- Earth auger (manual or electric)
- Valve Drill (Plunsche)
If you decide to use a manual drill, you will have to use muscle power. A device with motor support simplifies your work. Boreholes of ten meters and more can be drilled within a few hours.
You need a valve drill as soon as you have penetrated to the water-bearing sand layer. You could theoretically continue to work with a conventional drill, but you would not be able to advance any further in the foreseeable future because water is constantly being flushed into the side walls of the borehole. A plush is an open steel tube that is lowered to the bottom and fills with sand. If the plush is pulled up hard, the bottom is closed by a hinged lid and the contents can be pulled up.
Step by step instructions
- choose a suitable position
- Dig Hole
- Start drill
- Drill until they hit water
- Insert well pipe
- Insert plushes
- Connect pump
1 After finding the right spot for the well, grab a spade and dig a hole. Then it will be easier for you to position the drill. Connect the drill to the mains or turn it clockwise all the way in. Do not apply pressure when drilling and drill slowly until you hit groundwater.
2 To keep the borehole from collapsing again and again, insert a well pipe. An inexpensive sewer base pipe has proven its worth here. You should slit the material at the lower end of the pipe so that the water can flow in better later.
Tip: You can also use special well pipes equipped with filters.
3 Now continue working with the valve drill as already described. It will take a long time for the well pipe to fill with groundwater. So help with the garden hose and flood the pipe so that there is enough water.
4 Once groundwater has been accessed, a pump is needed to bring the water to the surface. Suction or deep well pumps can be used. These can be placed above the ground.
Tip: The hose endthe pump should not reach the bottom so that sand and soil are not sucked in.
Garden pumps (domestic waterworks) can pump water from depths of around 7 meters. If the water vein is deeper, waterproof submersible pumps or a deep well pump (my choice) are an alternative.