The Well
Water to the house is provided by a shallow well located behind the metal shop building down at the riverfront. The pumphouse is a small wooden structure set against the back of the shop. The pump is driven by a 1 hp electric motor. This is larger than normal for residential well pumps, but it must pump water at pressure up to the house, and smaller pumps have proven unreliable for this purpose.
The pumphouse retains some heat in winter, but when temperatures drop to 10 degrees or lower, it is necessary to heat the pumphouse to prevent freezing. In the event of freezing, adding a heat source (portable propane or kerosene heater) to the pumphouse should thaw the pipes, but may take several hours.
Last Service
The pump was last serviced (replaced) on June 18th, 2021 by Kimmes-Bauer Well Services of Hastings, MN. Although ailing and unreliable, the old pump motor was still functional, and was retained and stored in the shop to be deployed in the event of an emergency where timely acquisition of a new 1 horse pump is not possible.
Rebuild the pumphouse: concrete block filled with spray foam and insulated inside and and out, with a dedicated electric pumphouse heater to guarantee interior temperature of 50 degrees in winter.