Hand pump wells work without electricity and need basic tools and a few days of work
A hand pump well uses a manual pump mounted above ground to draw water from below. Installation involves digging or drilling a hole deep enough to reach groundwater, inserting a pipe with a screen at the bottom, and attaching the pump to the top. Most homeowners can do this with a shovel, a hand auger, PVC pipe, and a pump kit — though the hardest part is reaching water depth, which varies by location from 10 feet to over 100 feet down.
The process takes two to five days depending on soil type and how deep you need to go. You do not need a contractor for shallow wells under 25 feet, but deeper installations may require renting drilling equipment or hiring help. This guide walks through the steps, what to buy, and when to call someone else.
Key Takeaways
- Dig or drill a hole to the water table in your area, which your county water office or well drilling company can tell you.
- Insert a well screen and PVC pipe into the hole, then backfill around it with sand and bentonite clay to keep contaminants out.
- Attach the hand pump to the top of the pipe using the fittings that come with your pump kit.
- Test the pump and develop the well by pumping water until it runs clear, which removes sediment from the surrounding soil.
- Shallow wells under 25 feet are manageable by hand; deeper wells need a power auger or drilling contractor.
Find the water table depth in your area before you start
Water depth varies widely by region and even by neighborhood. Call your county health department or county extension office and ask how deep the water table sits in your area. They can usually tell you within 10 feet. You can also ask a local well drilling company — they drill wells every week and know the depth for your specific address.
Knowing the depth matters because it determines whether you can dig by hand or need to rent equipment. Depths under 25 feet are reachable with a hand auger and elbow grease. Depths between 25 and 50 feet need a power auger. Depths over 50 feet almost always need a drilling contractor with a truck-mounted rig.
While you have the county office on the phone, ask whether you need a permit to install a hand pump well. Most counties require one, and some have rules about distance from septic systems or property lines. Getting the permit takes a week or two but costs less than $100 and protects you if you ever sell the property.
Gather materials and tools for your depth
For a shallow well under 25 feet, you will need: a hand auger (rent for $20 to $40 per day), PVC pipe in the diameter your pump requires (usually 1.5 or 2 inches), a well screen (the screened section that goes at the bottom), a hand pump kit with fittings, sand, bentonite clay, and a bucket. Most hand pump kits come with instructions listing the exact pipe diameter and fittings you need.
For a well 25 to 50 feet deep, rent a power auger instead of a hand auger. A power auger costs $50 to $100 per day and cuts digging time from two days to a few hours. You still use the same PVC pipe, screen, and pump.
Buy PVC pipe in 10-foot sections so you can add length as you go deeper. Bring home extra — it is cheap and you may need more than you expect. The well screen usually comes as a 10-foot section that you attach to the bottom of your pipe string. Ask the pump supplier what diameter and thread type fit your pump before you buy anything.
Dig or drill the hole to water depth
Mark your location at least 10 feet from any septic system, 50 feet from a septic drain field, and away from low spots where surface water pools. Start digging straight down with your auger, turning the handle to bore into the soil. As you go deeper, add another 10-foot section of PVC pipe to the top of the auger so you can keep drilling without pulling the whole string out.
Stop when you hit water or reach the depth the county told you water sits at. You will feel the resistance change — the auger will suddenly spin easier or you will hit a wet layer. Pull the auger out slowly, unscrewing each section of pipe as you go, until the auger is out and you have a hole with PVC pipe sticking down into it.
If you are using a power auger, follow the rental company's instructions for assembly and operation. Power augers are faster but heavier and need two people to control safely. Once you reach water depth, shut off the auger and remove it the same way — section by section.
Install the well screen and seal the hole
Screw the well screen onto the bottom of your PVC pipe string. The screen keeps sediment and sand out of the water while letting water flow in. Lower the whole assembly into the hole slowly, making sure it goes straight down and does not bind on the sides.
Once the screen is at the bottom, you need to seal the hole around the pipe so surface water and contaminants cannot flow down the outside. Pour a layer of sand around the pipe from the bottom up to about 2 feet above the water level. Then pour bentonite clay (a swelling clay that blocks water) from 2 feet above the water level up to about 3 feet below ground surface. Bentonite expands when wet and creates a tight seal.
Fill the top 3 feet with soil and pack it down firmly. This prevents surface water from running down alongside the pipe. The whole sealing process takes an hour and is the most important step for keeping your well water clean.
Attach the pump and test the installation
Screw the hand pump onto the top of the PVC pipe using the threaded fitting that comes with your pump kit. Make sure all connections are tight — a loose connection will let air in and the pump will not draw water. Most hand pumps have a small priming hole at the top; fill it with water before you start pumping to help the pump seal.
Pump the handle up and down steadily. It may take 20 to 50 strokes before water comes out — the pump is pulling water up from below and filling the pipe. Once water starts flowing, keep pumping until it runs clear. Cloudy or sandy water means sediment is still settling in the soil around the screen. Pump for 15 to 30 minutes until the water is clear.
If no water comes out after 100 strokes, the water table may be deeper than expected, the screen may be clogged, or the pump may not be sealed properly. Check that all fittings are tight, refill the priming hole, and try again. If still nothing, you may need to pull the pipe and check the screen or drill deeper.
Maintain the pump and protect the well
Hand pumps are straightforward and last decades with basic care. After each use, pump a few extra strokes to clear water from the cylinder. In winter, if you live where it freezes, drain the pump by opening the small drain plug at the bottom so ice does not crack the casting. In spring, refill and prime it again.
Cover the top of the well with a cap or screen to keep leaves, insects, and animals out. A straightforward wooden or plastic cover works. If you are not using the well for weeks, cover it to prevent debris from falling in.
Every few years, pour a small amount of household bleach down the well (about 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons of water in the well) and pump it through to disinfect. Let it sit for a few hours, then pump until you no longer smell bleach. This keeps bacteria from building up in the pipe and pump.
When to hire a drilling contractor instead
If the water table is deeper than 50 feet, or if your soil is mostly rock or clay that a hand auger cannot cut through, hire a well drilling contractor. They have truck-mounted rigs that can drill 200 feet or more in a day. A drilled well costs $1,500 to $5,000 depending on depth and location, but it is the only practical option for deep water.
Contractors also handle permits, water testing, and pump installation as part of the job. They know local geology and can tell you when ready whether a hand pump well is possible on your property. Get quotes from at least two contractors before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep do I need to dig to find water?
Water depth depends on your region and local geology. Call your county health department or a local well drilling company and give them your address — they can tell you the typical depth for your area. It ranges from 10 feet in some places to over 100 feet in others.
Can I install a hand pump well myself or do I need a contractor?
You can install a shallow well yourself if water is under 25 feet deep and your soil is not mostly rock. You need a hand auger, PVC pipe, a pump kit, and a few days of work. For deeper wells or hard soil, rent a power auger or hire a contractor.
What if my pump does not draw water after I install it?
Check that all fittings are tight and the priming hole is filled with water. Pump at least 100 strokes — it takes time to pull water up from deep below. If still nothing comes out, the water table may be deeper than expected or the screen may be clogged. You may need to pull the pipe and inspect it or drill deeper.
Do I need a permit to install a hand pump well?
Most counties require a permit, which costs under $100 and takes one to two weeks. Call your county health department before you start. A permit protects you if you sell the property and ensures your well meets local safety rules.
How often do I need to maintain a hand pump well?
Hand pumps need little maintenance. Drain the pump in winter if you live where it freezes. Every few years, add a small amount of bleach and pump it through to disinfect. Cover the well to keep debris out. Otherwise, hand pumps last for decades with just regular use.