It’s easy not to think of it at all. There’s just water coming out of a tap. Many of us are so removed from water as the source it actually is, it’s almost like we think the water originates from the tap itself. But guess what?! It ain’t like that!
Because we bought land that wasn’t connected to any main systems (water, electricity, sewage) we had to figure out in what ways we wanted to be ’plugged in’ to these necessities. I’ve already covered the sewage-part in this piece, and electricity is a story to come in a few weeks. So how about water?
I knew that the land we were to build on sat right on top of an powerful underground river and I wanted in on that action. We did much research to figure out how deep down that river was flowing (meaning how deep down we’d have to drill to access this high quality, unpolluted water). After many months (turns out, not many people know how to work out this kind of situation) we learned that it was somewhere between 85-130 meters down. Now that’s deep. And deeply pricey.
So we had to reconsider and do what most people end up doing. Dig (for groundwater), instead of drill (for underground water).
But where, exactly?
Now to the fun woo-woo part of digging a well (that isn’t really woo-woo at all). Because of the magnetic pull that water has, there is a way to figure out where the best spot to dig is. Use a so-called divining rod. If you ask around on the country side there is no way you won’t stumble upon anyone who knows one or two things on the subject of looking for water with a divining rod. It’s simply the way this process has traditionally looked like. 1. Find a spot to live. 2. Look for the best place to dig for water (with a divining rod). 3. Dig a well. Since fact is that if there is no water, we cannot survive it was probably even the other way around. Looking for water first and THEN deciding where to live.
My grandfather knows how to work this, my mum knows how to work this and everyone I’ve seen gving it a go has also managed to find the right spot for water. Yes, me included #hippieandowningit. Still, we contacted the man who we knew had looked for water for pretty much all of our neighbors and he came over and pointed out the place he said was most likely to have a good supply. He never promises anything to anyone, was very humble and very inspiring. Anyway, that spot is where we dug our well and then patiently waited. We had a truckload of faith but of course also a side of nerves. What would we do if no water came in?! 2 weeks, nothing. 4 weeks, nothing. On the day that marked the 6th week, Fabian started becoming a little bit worried and went over to check in. Still nothing. That same day, me, my mum, Caspian and Avalon walked over to the land and did a full on crazy water-dance, summoning all the fairies, water spirits, forest creatures and you know, their aunts and uncles too 🙂 3 days later there was 3 meters of fresh water in our well.
I get goose-bumps writing this.
Now, I’m not saying that giggles, dancing and prayers are the way for everyone but I am saying that if anything, being in direct need of an element (like water) and then watching it flow in, is deeply humbling and should never be taken for granted. Regardless if it’s from a freshly dug well or from a tap in a 40 stories building.
We still don’t quite know which basic filters we’ll need since the quality of the water will change during the months of building our home. We will test the water once more before installing anything and I’ll report back then. Exciting!
I’m also looking for a good home-system for reverse osmosis so if you have a hot tip on this matter, let me know about all your brilliance in the comments below!
Any questions? Leave a note below too!
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