WASH Technologies - Spring Protection

This is done by:

• Excavating the spring until the water emerges from stable ground;
• Construction of a spring capture chamber;
• Construction of a sedimentation chamber;

• Construction of a storage reservoir to accommodate fluctuations in demand;
• Construction of diversion drains and ground stabilising structures, where required; and
• Fencing and establishing grass within the spring area.

If the spring is above the settlement, water can be piped directly from the reservoir into a reticulation. If the spring is below it can be pumped to another reservoir and then from there into a reticulation.

Spring protection requirements
Overflow should be directed back to the stream. Further, the spring should be protected against surface water contamination and erosion. At all times, water from the spring should be allowed to flow freely away from the “eye” or source of the spring, without obstruction. The water should never dam up, as this will cause back pressure. This can lead to the groundwater finding an easier alternative route, and the spring could stop flowing.
The water must flow freely under maximum flow conditions, during construction, and on the completion of construction.

Water quality
Water quality depends on the inherent properties of the groundwater when extracted, threats of contamination during the extraction process, and threats of contamination from the surrounding environment. However, it is important to remember that groundwater is still generally better quality than untreated surface water. Usually minimum or no water treatment is required. In some cases, though, the spring water source may be contaminated or have unacceptably high chemical concentrations. This requires appropriate treatment.

Insitutional support
Technical support is required to implement the scheme. Such support would include flow measurements, design of the spring protection system, an environmental impact assessment, and final construction. However, construction can be done using local skills and material. Springs can be easily managed by a local person, with minimal outside support.

Capital requirements

• Costs are associated with:
• Cement;
• River sand;
• Pipes;
• Stone, concrete blocks or bricks; and A plastic or ferro-cement tank.
• Spring protection can be carried out by a local artisan with minimal external support.

Operation and maintenance
Control of all human and animal activities around the spring is necessary. Regular maintenance of the perimeter fence (if one exists) is needed. The spring area should be kept free of litter. The growth of trees around the spring should be controlled, so as to prevent roots from damaging the spring box. Further, when required, repairs should be done to the surface water drainage system. Finally, the sedimentation chamber must be regularly scoured and cleaned.

Advantages of spring protection
They include:

• Spring protection prevents contamination of the water, making further treatment unnecessary;
• Spring protection can increase the yield obtained;
• The simplicity of the technology used for spring protection allows for labour intensive construction to be carried out by local artisans;
• The system taps base flow water, and thus has no major impact on the local water table; and
• Spring protection is generally inexpensive.

Limitations of springs
They include:

• The supply may be low, with seasonal reductions; and
• If construction is not carried out in an appropriate way, the spring can find an alternative route underground, thus bypassing the spring chamber.