In July, I was digging some fence post holes when I hit water, just 2 feet down. In the Rocky Mountains this is not typical, so I knew I had to take advantage of the high water table.
Two evenings, $200 in parts, and I’ve got a 3x3x4 ft culvert-lined pit well ready for emergency drinking/cooking water if the grid ever drops. No permits on my land (check yours).
Exact stuff I ordered from Amazon, and simple build instructions below:
Amazon Parts List
| Item | What It Does | Amazon Link (** buy elsewhere) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Hole Digger | 4 ft pit in 90 min—handles rocks | https://amzn.to/43quNN6 | $35 |
| 24″ Corrugated Culvert (4 ft) | Walls + ½” recharge holes every 6″ for fast refill | Hardware store** | $80 |
| Stainless Mesh Screen (24″ sq) | Bottom grate—blocks gravel, lets water | https://amzn.to/47Q1PaH | $15 |
| 2″ Minus Washed Rock (50 lb ×4) | 8″ filter bed—clean emergency pulls | Hardware store** | $40 |
| Hand Pump | 1–2 gal/min from 6 ft—zero power | https://amzn.to/4qWrdnX | $60 |
| Concrete Pavers (12-pc) | Top apron—keeps surface crud out | Hardware store** | $20 |
| Plywood + Foam Lid | Wood top, foam glued under for freeze guard | Hardware store** | $40 |
| Misc: Sealant, ½” Bit | Caulk + bit for recharge holes | Hardware store** | $20 |
Total: ~$200
Build Steps
- Dug 3×3 ft to 4 ft (water at 2 ft—kept going for storage).
- Drilled ½” holes every 6″ on culvert, dropped it in, screened bottom.
- Backfilled 2″ minus rock 8″ deep around/under.
- Pavers around rim, insulated lid on top, hand pump threaded.
- Yield: ~8 gal/hour—recharges after rain. First pull muddy, now crystal.
Emergency use: 15 pumps = 5-gal bucket. Boil or filter for drinking.