A well is a water source without electricity. The Amish dig by hand and pump with a hand pump.
Finding Water
Low areas where willow and alder grow. Spots where dew lingers longer. Ask neighbors what depth they found water. Dowsing — the Amish practice it; science neither confirms nor denies.
Digging
Diameter 1–1.5 meters. Dig with a shovel, lift soil by bucket on rope. As depth increases, reinforce walls: stone, concrete rings, or wooden cribbing. Without reinforcement — collapse.
Safety
Never work alone — someone always on top. Check air: lower a candle — goes out = no oxygen, don't descend. Deeper than 5 meters — ventilation mandatory.
Depth
Depends on water table: 3 to 15+ meters. When water flows in faster than you can bail — that's enough.
Pump
Hand piston pump is standard. Works from up to 7–8 meters. Deeper needs a deep-well pump. The Amish use windmill pumps for deep wells.