schildi
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Post by schildi on Jun 27, 2020 15:37:17 GMT -5
Hi all! We have a shared well here (3 houses). The well itself sits on one neighbors property (with an easement that the developer/previous land owner had put in). The pump house sits on a neighboring property that is still owned by the developer, also with an easement. The well and pump house have a separate electric meter, we split the bill equally between the 3 connected houses. Now, the neighbor with the well on his property has built an outbuilding on his property near the pump house, and has run electricity to it from our pump house (two lights and an outlet or two). To do so, he disconnected the light in the pump house and extended the previous light's wire outside and over to his new outbilding. Basically, the light switch in the pump house now turns on/off the power in his outbuilding for both the lights and outlets, LOL. And no light in the pump house anymore. What do you think and what would you do? Is that ok?
As a side note: he also built a large shop a while ago over the actual pump head. Pretty sure that wasn't code compliant. Not sure what implications that could have down the road. Could be an issue maybe if we need to get to the pump for repairs, but at least there is like 14ft of clearance above the pump head (which sits under a lid inside the shop's concrete floor).
I am thinking of getting an estimate for installing my own well. Am I overthinking this? What would you do?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2020 16:15:10 GMT -5
OMG. At first I thought you meant he built a shed over the well! My pump is at the bottom of the well and I've had to have it pulled twice...650 feet of pipe. Having a building over it would be bad! I'd be annoyed by this entire situation, but a well here is about 25K so I probably wouldn't run out and get my own. I can't imagine his electrical work was up to code either...pulling the light and extending the wire?
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schildi
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Post by schildi on Jun 27, 2020 16:28:46 GMT -5
OMG. At first I thought you meant he built a shed over the well! Actually, he built a 40x50 ft shop over the well. The well head is now inside his shop, in the concrete floor, under a cover. The well is 120ft deep, and there is about 14ft of clearance above the well. If the pump needs to be brought up, they would have to pull it in like 10 sections.
But that's separate from the outbuilding that he ran power to from our shared electric account. BTW: he did not say a word about any of this - just did it.
My guess in terms of cost for a well would be around $10k. Maybe $12k max. Yeah, I don't think the wiring is done to code. So what would you do?
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Cheesy FL-Vol
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Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Jun 27, 2020 16:36:48 GMT -5
OMG. At first I thought you meant he built a shed over the well! Actually, he built a 40x50 ft shop over the well. The well head is now inside his shop, in the concrete floor, under a cover. The well is 120ft deep, and there is about 14ft of clearance above the well. If the pump needs to be brought up, they would have to pull it in like 10 sections.
But that's separate from the outbuilding that he ran power to from our shared electric account. BTW: he did not say a work about any of this - just did it.
My guess in terms of cost for a well would be around $10k. Maybe $12k max. Yeah, I don't think the wiring is done to code. So what would you do?
Just me, but I would be reporting that building to local inspection.
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schildi
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Post by schildi on Jun 27, 2020 16:41:18 GMT -5
I don't know .... Reporting it would trigger a whole lot of issue, and not likely solve much, I think.
I figure if I get my own well, I have my piece of mind back and can move on. For sure I would not have to worry about the shop being over the well when the pump needs to be pulled.
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gambler
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Post by gambler on Jun 27, 2020 17:12:27 GMT -5
Depends on how deep they need to drill to hit portable water. Last I had done was 3k. Now there is some b.s. About having to go deeper to second aquifer. Runs about 100. Per foot here call well drilling company in your area can give you a good idea. I would most likely check and report infringement on well it is covered by convent. Had no right to steal electric and put up shed. Might be able to make him take for a at his cost. Not a wimp here will stand up for my self all you are doing is enabling him knows he is breaking convent and dose not care. Set him back on heals
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2020 17:35:48 GMT -5
OMG. At first I thought you meant he built a shed over the well! Actually, he built a 40x50 ft shop over the well. The well head is now inside his shop, in the concrete floor, under a cover. The well is 120ft deep, and there is about 14ft of clearance above the well. If the pump needs to be brought up, they would have to pull it in like 10 sections.
But that's separate from the outbuilding that he ran power to from our shared electric account. BTW: he did not say a word about any of this - just did it.
My guess in terms of cost for a well would be around $10k. Maybe $12k max. Yeah, I don't think the wiring is done to code. So what would you do?
How the heck do you pull a well inside a building? I mean, if the pump isn't in the well, they probably will never have to, but when they pulled mine a big truck had to back up to the well head and the pipes were in 20 foot sections. I dunno. Like I said I'd probably just be annoyed and not do anything, but I'm broke. If 10-12K is doable for you it might very well be worth it just for the peace of mind. I never liked the idea of shared wells. Neighbor up here has one and the guy he was sharing with decided to start milking cattle and put a mobile home on his property for one of his kids, so he's using a ton more water now and they have pressure issues.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jun 27, 2020 17:57:50 GMT -5
I would definitely be getting my own well. These shared or cooperative arrangements work fine until they don't. When they stop working, it's usually because one of the people involved decides to go his/her own way and/or basically treat the shared thing as his/her personal property. That seldom ends well.
Get your own well. Then what the others do will simply be entertainment and somebody else's problem. It will entail an expense, but wouldn't having a well exclusive to your house/property make it more desirable? If I were considering buying something served by a well, I would certainly prefer that the well was not shared with others because people are stupid and it is best not to have to rely on their good will or their ability to exercise good sense.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jun 27, 2020 18:24:15 GMT -5
Also that electric bill could rise.
It's like we just had a tenant we found out filling a swimming pool from a house we pay the water bill for. The other tenant told us as they share service and he is afraid he will be charged. this person put her pool on a neighbors property? In case she moves, makes no sense. We don't allow them per our ins, no trampolines either, I think I told her. But I guess she thought she could use thousands of gallons of water and us not notice it. We have told her no problem we will just bill her the difference when the bill comes in. If she had just asked we might have paid for it, but it will be extra each month. I don't like people trying to be sneaky.
I wonder if that guy has any idea the problem he is causing himself in the future doing that. If you can afford it I would have my own well too. Shared driveways, electric, and water can be problems.
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kadee79
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Post by kadee79 on Jun 27, 2020 22:23:30 GMT -5
I'd get my own well...no matter the cost. We have a well. Our pump was hit by lightening several years ago and it cost us over $700 for repairs. They had to pull all our pipes...ours are in 50' lengths...200' total for the pump, but the well hole was originally drilled 400'. We have a concrete pad around the well and a building over it...BUT...the building can be moved by undoing some bolts, rolling a long solid tube we have up against the back of it & attaching a chain to roll the building back far enough that the well guys can get to it with no problems. Our repair guys also had a big truck there to pull up the pipes to replace the pump at the bottom. Like someone else said, call a local well driller...or more than one and see what prices run in your area. You would also need the pipe from the other well shut down or removed.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Jun 28, 2020 7:03:22 GMT -5
Having a building over the well means it can never be serviced. Well drilling rigs can be 20-40ft in height, there would be no way to set up inside and the building (or at least a portion of it) would have to come down.
Your neighbor is likely in violation of several zoning and building codes (unless you don’t have such things where you live). It will not be a simple solution, and may require yourself and the other neighbor to sue for the neighbor to either remove his buildings, or put in a new well for the others.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Jun 28, 2020 7:59:03 GMT -5
The OP didn't say what the house is worth. If this property is $200,000 plus in value and I could obtain my own well for $10,000 I would drill my own well.
The first house DH and I owned was on a shared well with the property next to us. We had zero problems with the well or the neighbors. Different story once we came to sell. The shared well was a huge negative for all the potential buyers we had. Financing a property with a shared well was very problematic.
A few years after we sold, rural water was piped to this house. The problem disappeared once a community water supply was available.
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movinonup
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Post by movinonup on Jun 28, 2020 8:25:51 GMT -5
Take a look at the easements. I'm not an attorney, but there is probably a lot of detail in the easement about is and is not allowed under the easement. Building anything above the pump head may violate the terms of the easement. I wouldn't just get my own well. There is no way you should have to pay for your own well because he is being a jerk. I agree with tractor that you may have to take legal action ultimately. If that is the case, you will want the proposed solution to be separate wells for each property. I would also tell him that he has to disconnect the electrical service to his building and route it from his own electrical supply. If he refuses, you can call your local building department. They may be able to force him to disconnect. You can also just go in and disconnect him, though that kind of hands-on action may be the worst way to handle the situation. -movinonup
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 28, 2020 9:19:52 GMT -5
Take a look at the easements. I'm not an attorney, but there is probably a lot of detail in the easement about is and is not allowed under the easement. Building anything above the pump head may violate the terms of the easement. I wouldn't just get my own well. There is no way you should have to pay for your own well because he is being a jerk. I agree with tractor that you may have to take legal action ultimately. If that is the case, you will want the proposed solution to be separate wells for each property. I would also tell him that he has to disconnect the electrical service to his building and route it from his own electrical supply. If he refuses, you can call your local building department. They may be able to force him to disconnect. You can also just go in and disconnect him, though that kind of hands-on action may be the worst way to handle the situation. -movinonup No, Schildi shouldn't have to build a well, but people can be jerks... Someone who does that sort of thing is not reasonable and is likely not open to any reasonable solution. Actually, they are making it clear that they have no intention of abiding by the easement covenants or fair play. Sure, Schildi could alert authorities and sue, but that will take years to resolve with all kinds of acrimonious feelings impacting future pump issues. Just because one can sue doesn't mean it always makes sense in the long run to sue. I suspect Schildi will find that building a private well will be cheaper than the cost of legal solutions and repairs to a well pump now covered by a building and a cement floor. I vote for building a private well. Oh, and hire a lawyer to get out from under that easement once the private well is built and running.
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movinonup
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Post by movinonup on Jun 28, 2020 9:48:27 GMT -5
I suspect Schildi will find that building a private well will be cheaper than the cost of legal solutions and repairs to a well pump now covered by a building and a cement floor. I vote for building a private well. Oh, and hire a lawyer to get out from under that easement once the private well is built and running. If schildi is ultimately going to have to hire a lawyer to get out from under the easement, what's the point of paying for a new well and equipment first? It's $10K-$12K for the well, then additional for the lawyer. Why not sue and try to get out of the easement and stick the jerk with the bill for the new well? I don't know if there is a legal argument to justify forcing the jerk to pay the bill. People have certainly made dumber arguments in court. I'm not sure how many of them win. -movinonup
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jun 28, 2020 10:01:08 GMT -5
It sounds like the guy is just doing what he wants, but I would just let it go. So the guy is making you split the cost of running his lights in his shed. If it is just lights, it’s probably not more than a dollar or so a month. If he built his shop in the way of well repairs, that is his problem. I get that a shared well is not ideal, but I wouldn’t spend my own money just to get out of the agreement.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 28, 2020 10:03:13 GMT -5
I suspect Schildi will find that building a private well will be cheaper than the cost of legal solutions and repairs to a well pump now covered by a building and a cement floor. I vote for building a private well. Oh, and hire a lawyer to get out from under that easement once the private well is built and running. If schildi is ultimately going to have to hire a lawyer to get out from under the easement, what's the point of paying for a new well and equipment first? It's $10K-$12K for the well, then additional for the lawyer. Why not sue and try to get out of the easement and stick the jerk with the bill for the new well? I don't know if there is a legal argument to justify forcing the jerk to pay the bill. People have certainly made dumber arguments in court. I'm not sure how many of them win. -movinonup Because even IF Schildi is successful in getting the jerk to pay for the well, it will take YEARS for the lawsuit to move through the courts. Schildi certainly can build the well and THEN sue for re-imbursement, but waiting for the lawsuit to be decided all the while being subject to unnecessarily exhorbitant pump repair costs and unfairly high power bills isn’t the best approach IMHO. YMMV.
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movinonup
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Post by movinonup on Jun 28, 2020 10:37:58 GMT -5
If schildi is ultimately going to have to hire a lawyer to get out from under the easement, what's the point of paying for a new well and equipment first? It's $10K-$12K for the well, then additional for the lawyer. Why not sue and try to get out of the easement and stick the jerk with the bill for the new well? I don't know if there is a legal argument to justify forcing the jerk to pay the bill. People have certainly made dumber arguments in court. I'm not sure how many of them win. -movinonup Because even IF Schildi is successful in getting the jerk to pay for the well, it will take YEARS for the lawsuit to move through the courts. Schildi certainly can build the well and THEN sue for re-imbursement, but waiting for the lawsuit to be decided all the while being subject to unnecessarily exhorbitant pump repair costs and unfairly high power bills isn’t the best approach IMHO. YMMV. Unless I missed something, there are no repair costs right now. Schildi hasn't stated how much the electric bill has increased. If there is an immediate repair required, or the electric bill is seriously inflated, that changes the situation. Actually, right now, Schildi should probably discuss the situation with Neighbor #2 (the developer?) before making any decisions. A sit down with all three property owners may resolve the situation. The jerk may just be some oblivious doofus that had only one area of his property that was flat enough to place his shop and thought that as long as he left access to the pump head through the concrete floor all would be fine. Some of the pictures that I have seen posted on familyhandyman.com and by Mike Holmes on Facebook demonstrate that there are plenty of people who are completely ignorant when it comes to their homes and property. If ultimately legal action is necessary, so be it. I just wouldn't lay out $10K-$12K of my own money until I must. The water is still currently flowing, so to me it doesn't seem like that point has been reached. -movinonup
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schildi
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Post by schildi on Jun 28, 2020 10:40:23 GMT -5
Thanks for all the responses. The properties here are in the $700k+ range.
Yes, our own well does sound like a good idea at this point.
I'll get an estimate next and see if it's feasible.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2020 13:59:37 GMT -5
How do you pull a pump in a well head located inside a building?
You can't. Unless he built a building with like 50' ceilings one can back a drilling rig into.
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jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Jun 28, 2020 15:02:41 GMT -5
We’ve had wells in 2 houses, our own not shared. Had to replace pumps in both but didn’t need to have pipes pulled up. First one failure was due to lightning strike. Our pumps were always at the surface where they could be reached.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Jun 28, 2020 16:21:20 GMT -5
We just replaced our well pump in March, right after lockdown started.
Our well is 120' deep. Two workers plus my DH hand-pulled the line and the pump. So, it can be done by hand, if necessary.
We don't have a building over it - we simply didn't know it was that deep, so my DH said he'd just help pull. He did not know what he was getting into! Saved us $100 or so, since they didn't have to go get the machine they use to pull it.
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schildi
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Post by schildi on Jun 28, 2020 21:00:30 GMT -5
How do you pull a pump in a well head located inside a building? You can't. Unless he built a building with like 50' ceilings one can back a drilling rig into. I talked to the installer about that a while ago. He said it's possible - they just have to pull the 20ft sections out like 11 feet, then cut the section, then pull the other half. Something to that extend. And, of course, that this would make it more expensive. There is about 14-15ft of clearing inside the building. Maybe even 16-17 ft if the well is not exactly under a rafter, but I have not checked that. Besides this well pump issue, I am actually getting along well with the neighbor (and all the others also). We are a good community aside of the well crap. Don't really want to change that.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 28, 2020 21:12:02 GMT -5
Have you had much interaction with this neighbor? Is he clueless or just really self-centered?
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Jun 29, 2020 6:43:04 GMT -5
One other concern I would have is well head protection. Does he was vehicles in his building, change oil, fuel up machines. It doesn’t take much of a spill to have hydrocarbons or other contaminants enter the well shaft and contaminate your drinking supply. It’s a substantial risk that most overlook.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 29, 2020 7:12:55 GMT -5
One other concern I would have is well head protection. Does he was vehicles in his building, change oil, fuel up machines. It doesn’t take much of a spill to have hydrocarbons or other contaminants enter the well shaft and contaminate your drinking supply. It’s a substantial risk that most overlook. Excellent point!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 7:29:17 GMT -5
IMO a 700K house should not be sharing a 10K well. If I was buying at that price range I'd just move on to another place.
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Jun 29, 2020 8:02:19 GMT -5
I'm with MPL. I'd expect my own pump in that price range.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 29, 2020 9:28:13 GMT -5
One other concern I would have is well head protection. Does he was vehicles in his building, change oil, fuel up machines. It doesn’t take much of a spill to have hydrocarbons or other contaminants enter the well shaft and contaminate your drinking supply. It’s a substantial risk that most overlook. The above is a very good point. I have a few thoughts. They didn't just decide to have 3 properties share a well for no good reason. There must be environmental or other reasons why they are all sharing the same well. I would check on the feasibility and cost of building my own well, and find out how long it would take to install it if you needed it in an emergency situation. It would be cheaper to hire an electrician to fix the electrical issue in the well house. Most people could pull manage to run the electric off the the well house wiring without disconnecting the lighting in the well house. This guy really does not know what he is doing. I would bring in an electrician and a plumber and ask about sub meters. They should be able to sub meter the water going to your property so that you can calculate what % of the bill is allocable to your usage. The probably can do the same with the electric, although I don't know if the usage is enough to make it worthwhile. You might also hire a lawyer and make him advise on what to do about possible future complications due to a building being built over the well house.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 10:04:28 GMT -5
One other concern I would have is well head protection. Does he was vehicles in his building, change oil, fuel up machines. It doesn’t take much of a spill to have hydrocarbons or other contaminants enter the well shaft and contaminate your drinking supply. It’s a substantial risk that most overlook. The above is a very good point. I have a few thoughts. They didn't just decide to have 3 properties share a well for no good reason. There must be environmental or other reasons why they are all sharing the same well. I would check on the feasibility and cost of building my own well, and find out how long it would take to install it if you needed it in an emergency situation. It would be cheaper to hire an electrician to fix the electrical issue in the well house. Most people could pull manage to run the electric off the the well house wiring without disconnecting the lighting in the well house. This guy really does not know what he is doing. I would bring in an electrician and a plumber and ask about sub meters. They should be able to sub meter the water going to your property so that you can calculate what % of the bill is allocable to your usage. The probably can do the same with the electric, although I don't know if the usage is enough to make it worthwhile. You might also hire a lawyer and make him advise on what to do about possible future complications due to a building being built over the well house. They don't have a water bill with a well. Just electric for the pump.
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