We live in a pre-Colonial 1729 home that has city utilities. Next to the old front of the house is a well and from a past owner, we understand the water is very good. The well itself was hand dug and is about 24 inches in diameter and is surrounded by field stones that extend as far down into the well as we can see. The depth appears to be at least 40 feet to the top of the water.

Can someone please guide us through the steps we must take to make the well good at least for irrigation? What kind of pump would you recommend? What sort of housing? If you have an idea of prices, please feel free to share.

In south Georgia, we merely use a shallow well pump, put hose into well and pump.

If it's 40 feet down to water, a shallow well pump won't work. Would have to be a deep well pump. This is a pretty good article of the three types of pumps you could consider.

Types of Well Pumps | eHow (http://www.ehow.com/list_6046489_types-well-pumps.html)

Fr_Chuck, just noticed you live in China. Now that's what I would call an adventure. Went to your website and found it interesting. Did I read correctly that you are a teacher?