If you are content to pump your water by hand and do without a
flush-type toilet and bath or shower, then a dug well with a bucket and
windlass or one with a hand pump is sufficient. On the other hand, if
you are wise you will install a small power pump—the cost is quite
reasonable—and a storage tank, which can be either in the top of the
house or on some nearby high ground. In estimating the amount of water
you’ll need figure that the average bath takes 30 gallons, one flush of
a toilet 4 to 6 gallons.
Government experts estimate the consumption of water per person in 24
hours is 4 to 8 gallons if only a hand pump is provided; if one faucet
is installed, domestic uses require 7 to 15 gallons per person; if the
house is equipped with hot and cold water in kitchen, bath and laundry,
the consumption rises to 20-25 gallons, a family average of 100 gallons
every 24 hours. That’s a lot of water to carry in pails or pump by hand.
If you build your cabin in the mountains, you may not have much success
digging a well because bedrock may be close beneath the surface. If you
build in or near some community of vacation homes, you can find out what
method others employ in the neighborhood. In the more established
communities you may find a co-operative water system in existence. Many
of the privately developed summer home areas are served by local utility
companies.