Building a house on an artesian well?

[lizl]

We're buying a piece of property, and have found out there is an artesian well under where the footprint of our house will be. Some local drillers have said that once they fill it w/grout/abandon it...it should never cause any problems to our foundation.
Our builder is worried that this isn't true?
All new to us..Any recommendations?

 

[PILOON]

That well is basically a hole in the ground.
Once filled it no longer is a hole.
If there is no hole there is no problem.

May be wrong, but that's how I see it.
If worried, leave the top 8-10 ft un plugged and when they pour the concrete foundation have them pump concrete into that top section. Might cost you a yard or less of concrete,

 

[lizl]

Thanks!
We're clueless on this well thing...
Appreciate your input!!!!

 

[Western]

PILOON is spot on.

Check this web site out, it has a diagram showing a cross section of the well cap/plug.

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[sandman2234]

For what they cost to drill, and what it cost to water a lawn with city water, I would seriously consider moving the house far enough to put it just outside the walls, or in a dead space in the house. People used to have wells inside to keep someone from poisoning the well when they were mad at them.
David from jax

 

[TracTrac]

People also once placed their wells inside so to not brave the elements.
lizl, might want to do your homework on this one. Foundation problems could arrise if the ground is too soft. One thing that comes to mind, will you install a septic system? PERC TEST.
In our community we had an artesian well that once provided the towns water supply. Almost 1000 gallons per minute. A rock quarry went in business almost a mile east of said well. When the quarry dug down to 100 feet and pumped the abundant ground water west (opposite direction) this well dried up and a year later many sink holes developed. These sink holes developed for over 2 miles in distance. Some were large enough to cause damage.
Two points, This artesian well water is under pressure. If it is sealed off the water will come out of the ground at the next point of least resistance. Next, if some one or business comes along and pumps out this ground water you foundation will fall into the void just as the homes in our area.
Quarry Sinkholes, Hanson Aggregates Southeast Inc. and Oldcastle Materials Inc. to pay city of Opelika $1.1 million settlement

Some local drillers have said that once they fill it w/grout/abandon it...it should never cause any problems to our foundation. Ask them for proof. I do not believe it.
Search "spring villa" + quarry.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have to say I would move the house so the well was outside.

Sure seems safer to me.

As for the well, didn't you want a nice water feature in your yard? Construct an artificial waterfall with a stream running off to a natural drain and you will have a desirable addition.

 

[RickB]

In most instances where folks try to bend or ignore the will of nature they come out on the short end. I'd move the house, too.

 

[Army grunt]

Move the house ,Save the well Youll be happy down the road.
Army Grunt

 

[clemsonfor]

Another for moving the house. My aunt had an old home place on their property near where they built there new house (well 100yds) it had a well (not arteisian but hand dug) that was filled in for as long as i remember. One snowfall after they were in the house the well caved in. It must have been a hollow sinkhole in there for a while? DEHEC or dept of health and Evironmental control came out with a dumptruck load of sand and dumped it into the well. My uncle let it settle then graded it off with his loader. No problem since.

But you would have hated to have your house anywhere near it that year it collapsed!