What is this tank? Buy this property at auction?

Question

Hello All:

I am looking at this property at auction and I like many things about it and can work with it, but this is my one red flag - this tank set back about 25 feet from the house.  What is it, oil?  The walls are brick and it tapers out to maybe 8 feet wide, and its 8 or 10 feet deep but who knows because of the water.

There are 3 or 4 rusty pipes going in and out, mostly towards the house.  House was built in 1930.  Yes those are garter snakes.  This is in Illinois.  Whatever this tank is, if it costs me somewhere between 0.00 and 2000.00 to deal with on this project, it should be fine.  Much more than that, I may have to pass.  This is an Auction, so I took these pictures walking the outside of the property - can anyone offer some ideas on what this is and what Im looking at cost wise?

Thanks,

Rob

Greg Hering · Answer

It is likely a cistern. A cistern is different from a well in that they are designed to catch rainwater and store.  Whereas a well would provide access to an underground fresh water source.

Many older rural homes would have a cistern for non-consumable water needs such as toilets, washing machine and outdoor faucets.  The well water was reserved for drinking and cooking.

I may be wrong but I grew up in southern IL and these were common for older rural houses.

Greg Hering · Answer

Cheapest (but less permanent or visually appealing)

1.  Get a steel plate and some concrete anchors and you can leave as is below ground but seal access.

Less cheap and permanent. (still less visually appealing)

2.   Do no demolition but fill in. Pea gravel or sand will settle less than dirt.  Cover. now it is no hazard but you still see it.

More expensive but totally eliminates the issue. May add a little additional value due to aesthetics.

3.  Tear off concrete top.  Knock down brick walls at least 2 feet below ground level. All this can be dropped in the hole. Backfill to 18-24 inches below ground level with sand or pea gravel.  Fill last remaining with soil.  In a couple of years, the only evidence that anything existed here will be that the grass over this spot with dry up faster in the summer during a dry spell.

I think you could get any of the three options for under $2,000.

Ryan Murdock · Answer

@Robert Campbell I had one of these on a flip last year as they are pretty common in my area too (either hand dug wells or cisterns). Most times just putting some type of secure cover on it will suffice as it's usually an insurance company concern. In my experience they just want to see that it's not easy to access - especially for a child. A cement or heavy wooden cover has always worked for me without the need to actually fill it in....but if you want to completely eliminate any risk filling it in is the only way to do that.

Jaron Walling · Answer

That is an outdated cistern or bucket well. We have those in Indiana as well. Our state regulations require a "seal" to protect from contaminants. It shouldn't be an issue for you.

Thomas S. · Answer

I would break up and throw the econcrete into th ehole and  fill it in.

Robert Campbell · Answer

Ryan:

Thanks for that - so the property is hooked up to city water service, the well is probably left over from the 30's.  Do you agree this is not an oil tank, since it has brick walls?  I understand this is not professional advice or anything like that, but I have to make quick decisions on an auction property and BP is a great resource for more insight / other folks take on it.

How would you seal something like this up, just bolt a cover over it, or actually fill it in?  Trying to determine whether this will cost me less than 2k...

-Rob

Ryan Murdock · Answer

That looks like an old well. Is there another, newer drilled will on the property or is that one pictured the only water source? If that's it'll need some work or a new well drilled as a replacement. If a newer well is already there and working I'd seal the old one up and be done with it so a kid doesn't fall in.

What is this tank? Buy this property at auction?

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