Springs

Marco Bruni, seecon international gmbh

Springs 1
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The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
supporting partner organisations.
Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation and
the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and the
suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with respect to
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Springs
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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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1. Introduction
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.

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

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1. Introduction
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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2. How Can Springs Optimise my Local Water System?

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

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2. How Can Springs Optimise my Local Water System?

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.

High quality
drinking water

No or just minor
purification
required

Source: WATERCHARITY (n.y.)

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3. Different Types of Springs and their Performance

Types of Springs

To understand the possibilities of water tapping from springs, the

distinction between gravity springs and artesian springs is most
important.

Gravity Artesian
Springs Springs

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3. Different Types of Springs and their Performance

Gravity Springs

Gravity Depression Spring Gravity Overflow Spring

Source: SMET and WIJK (2002)

• 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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3. Different Types of Springs and their Performance

Artesian Springs

Source: SMET and WIJK (2002)

• 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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4. Tracing for Springs and Assessing Feasibility

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. MEULI & WEHRLI (2001)

Source: MEULI & WEHRLI (2001)

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4. Tracing for Springs and Assessing Feasibility

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.

• Aspects to be considered include:

• The quantity and quality of the
water,
• Its reliability,
• The current and future uses.

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

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5. Basic Design and Construction Principles

Gravity Springs 1/2 - The Components

Source: SMET and WIJK (2002)

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.
SMET and WIJK (2002)

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5. Basic Design and Construction Principles

Gravity Springs 2/2 – The Spring Box

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

• 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.)

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5. Basic Design and Construction Principles

Artesian Springs

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

Source: SMET and WIJK (2002)

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5. Basic Design and Construction Principles

Protection of the Catchment and the Spring Surrounding

In 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. WAARDE et al. (n.y.)

Source: MEULI & WEHRLE (2001)

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6. Operation and Maintenance

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

Source: HAWLEY (2003)

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7. Applicability
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. MEULI & WEHRLE (2001)

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8. Advantages and Disadvantages
Springs Put in a Nutshell
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
Springs
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)
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9. References
FWT 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].

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