springs 1 marco bruni, seecon international gmbh

Springs

Springs

1

Marco Bruni, seecon international gmbh

Springs

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Springs


Contents

1.Introduction

2.How Can Springs Optimise my Local Water System?

3.Different Types of Springs and their Performance

4.Tracing for Springs and Assessing Feasibility

5.Basic Design and Construction Principles

6.Operation and Maintenance

7.Applicability

8.Advantages and Disadvantages

9.References

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Springs


Definition

When groundwater makes its way to the earth’s surface and emerges as small water holes or wet spots, this feature is referred to as a spring.

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1. Introduction

Source: FWT LTD (n.y.)Source: MEULI & WEHRLI (2001)

Springs


Characteristics

Main Features•Spring water’s generally of high quality,•But rather susceptible to changes in rainfall patterns

low reliability in terms of quantity

Significance•Important source for drinking water in many parts of the world

•Cultural importance / ‘source of life’

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1. Introduction

Springs


Health Aspects 1/2

•In many rural areas, spring water is often accessed without having implemented adequate spring protection measures or having installed appropriate catchment systems.

•The consequences being that the spring gets contaminated (e.g. by pathogens, chemicals, metals) and water quality thus does not meet criteria for drinking water standards.

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2. How Can Springs Optimise my Local Water System?

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengrants/4636206488/sizes/l/in/photostream/ [Accessed: 10.05.2012]

This unprotected spring without any catchment system is the main drinking water source for a rural community in the Masindi district in western Uganda. It is contaminated by livestock dung and through bathing and washing activities.

Springs


Health Aspects 2/2

A properly tapped spring can improve a communities’ water supply substantially. Additional spring protection measures (e.g. interdiction of agricultural activities and pit latrines in the surrounding area, etc.) support this process.

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2. How Can Springs Optimise my Local Water System?

Source: WATERCHARITY (n.y.)

High quality drinking water

High quality drinking water

No or just minor

purification required

No or just minor

purification required

……

Springs


Types of Springs

To understand the possibilities of water tapping from springs, the distinction between gravity springs and artesian springs is most important.

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3. Different Types of Springs and their Performance

GravitySpringsGravitySprings

ArtesianSpringsArtesianSprings

Springs


Gravity Springs

• Gravity springs occur either if the ground surface dips below the water table (‘depression subtype’) or if an outcrop of impervious soil prevents the downward flow of the water (‘overflow subtype’).

• The water flows more or less horizontally out of the ground.

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Source: SMET and WIJK (2002)

Gravity Depression Spring

Gravity Overflow Spring

Springs


Artesian Springs

• Artesian springs occur when water is trapped between impervious layers and is forced to the surface under pressure.

• The water flows vertically out of the ground.

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Springs


Looking for a Spring

Tracing for springs requires much practical experience. The best places to look for springs are on the slopes of hillsides and river valleys.

It is always advisable to investigate the source, which the villagers are already using for their water requirements. Villagers and people knowing the area (e.g. hunters, farmers, etc.) may provide information about potential new water sources.

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4. Tracing for Springs and Assessing Feasibility

Source: MEULI & WEHRLI (2001)

MEULI & WEHRLI (2001)

Springs


Feasibility of a Spring

• Having found a spring, the feasibility as a drinking water source has to be assessed.

• The feasibility study provides the information and data for the design of a water supply system and takes into consideration any possible environmental impact.

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4. Tracing for Springs and Assessing Feasibility

Source: http://www.webdesign-guru.co.uk/icon/wp-content/uploads/ok.gif [Accessed: 10.05.2012]

?• Aspects to be considered include: • The quantity and quality of

the water, • Its reliability, • The current and future

uses.

Springs


Gravity Springs 1/2 - The Components

The major components in the design of a gravity spring water supply system include:• The actual spring water collection area, • The supply pipe, • The collection chamber (or spring box), and• The outlet to a storage tank.

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5. Basic Design and Construction Principles


SMET and WIJK (2002)

Springs


Gravity Springs 2/2 – The Spring Box

Although not always required, a spring box can provide many benefits:

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• It protects the spring water from contamination by surface runoff and contact with humans and animals.

• Storage of water• Spring boxes may also act as settling basins, assisting the removal of suspended sediments. This is a distinct health advantage, since bacteria and other organisms are generally attached to particles.


WFTW (n.y..); HAWLEY 2003; WATERAID 2008

Source: WATERCHARITY (n.y.)

Springs


Artesian Springs

The tapping of artesian springs differ quite a bit from the tapping of gravity springs since the water flow is oriented vertically.

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Springs


Protection of the Catchment and the Spring SurroundingIn order to maintain safe drinking water quality, the permanent protection of the catchment and the direct spring surroundings is essential.

The protection measures must be enforced and fully respected and understood by the local water users to guarantee long-term sustainability.

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Source: MEULI & WEHRLE (2001)

WAARDE et al. (n.y.)

Springs


Simple

Spring catchments need very little operation and maintenance. A simple design combined with high-quality construction will keep maintenance requirements to a minimum.

Yet, all spring catchments need a periodic check-up and cleaning (i.e. emptying, disinfection, removal of sediments) once a year. Minor jobs like basic repairs or monitoring activities can be planned and carried out by the caretaker. In case of major repairs (e.g. wet spots around the catchment, leaks at the spring chamber, etc.), the responsible service should be consulted.

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6. Operation and Maintenance

MEULI & WEHRLE (2001); HELVETAS (n.y.)

Source: HAWLEY (2003)

Springs


Universally Applicable

• The use of springs as the main source for community water supply is applicable whenever a spring occurs and its yield in terms of quantity and its quality is sufficient.

• However, to maintain the water quality, strictly ensured spring protection in the catchment zone has to be ensured permanently to avoid contamination.

• Although springs only need little operation and maintenance, monitoring of water quality has to be conducted regularly.

• In many cultures, springs are highly respected as a kind of sacred spot or as a dwelling place of spirits. This attitude and belief towards springs needs to be carefully considered when constructing a spring catchment.

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7. Applicability

MEULI & WEHRLE (2001)

Springs


Springs Put in a Nutshell

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Advantages:•High water quality•Fairly low construction costs if pumping is not required (gravity-based distribution system)

•Very little operation and maintenance

•High reliability of water flow and no seasonal variations (only for artesian springs)

•O&M can be carried out by a local caretaker

Disadvantages:•Risk of contamination, especially for gravity springs Need for spring protection

•Unstable flow, mostly dependant on rainfall (only for gravity springs)

•Increase of yield not possible•Possibility of a spontaneous disappearance of the spring

•Location of the spring may not be convenient or easily accessible

•Opportunities for spring tapping are limited to specific regions (depending on topography, geology and hydrology)

8. Advantages and Disadvantages

Springs


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9. ReferencesFWT LTD (n.y.): Spring. Little Penarth: FWT LTD. URL: http://www.filterclean.co.uk/images/infospringimages/water%20spring.jpg [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. HAWLEY, R.J. (2003): A Technical Brief for Springbox Construction. Houghton: Michigan Technological University. URL: http://www.cee.mtu.edu/sustainable_engineering/resources/technical/Springbox_2_FINAL.pdf [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. HELVETAS (n.y.): Village Water Supply. Caretakers Manual. Bamenda: Helvetas Cameroon. URL: http://www.helvetas.ch/Cameroon/global/pdf/programme/tools/Village_Water_Supply_Caretakers_Manual.pdf [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. MEULI, C.; WEHRLE, K. (2001): Spring Catchment. St. Gallen: Swiss Centre for Development Cooperation in Technology and Management (SKAT). URL: [Accessed: 22.03.2012].

SMET, J. (Editor); WIJK, C. van (Editor) (2002): Small Community Water Supplies: Technology, People and Partnership: Spring Water Tapping - Chapter 8. The Hague: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC). URL: http://www.irc.nl/page/1917 [Accessed: 29.02.2012]. WAARDE, J. van der; MUSA, T.M.; ISCHER, M. (n.y.): Water Catchment Protection Handbook. (= Learning and Experience Sharing Series, Volume 1). Bamenda: Helvetas Cameroon, Swiss Association for International Co-operation. URL: http://www.helvetas.ch/Cameroon/global/pdf/programme/tools/1.%20Water_catchment_protection-handbook.pdf [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. WATERAID (2008): Technology Notes. London: Wateraid. URL: http://www.wateraid.org/documents/plugin_documents/technology_notes_2008.pdf [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. WATER CHARITY (n.y.): Spring Catchment and Spring Box. Crestline: Water Charity. URL: http://watercharity.org/node/257 [Accessed: 12.03.2011]. WFTW (n.y): Constructing Structures for Springs. Technical Note No. RWS. 1.C.1. Washington, D.C.: Water for the World (WFTW), U.S. Agency for International Development. URL: http://www.lifewater.org/resources/rws1/rws1c1.pdf [Accessed: 12.03.2011].

Springs 21

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springs 1 marco bruni, seecon international gmbh

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