PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS EDUCATION SYSTEM

Determining Spring Flow (1)

Determining Spring Flow Determine the flow rate from a spring during the season of low flow and record the time needed to fill a container of known volume. If the flow rate is at least the calculated daily water requirement for the home or farm, all the water needs can be met from this source.

Development

Spring development usually includes a collection tile or pipe, and a spring box often doubles as a storage tank.

Spring Box Excavate along the line of flow of a point spring to where the water is at least 3 feet below the ground surface. Install a cut-off wall of concrete or plastic; insert a pipe low in the wall to guide the water to the spring box. Do not try to back water up behind the cutoff wall as the water pressure could reduce the spring flow or cause the water to change course and exit elsewhere.

Spring Box In low area springs, the spring box sometimes serves as the collector, and therefore no tile or pipe is needed.


Spring Box Develop a seepage spring by first digging several test holes upslope from the seep. Where the holes indicate the impervious layer is about 3 inches below the ground surface, excavate an 18 to 24 inch trench across the slope. Dig the trench to 6 inches below the water-bearing layer and extend 4 to 6 feet beyond the seep area. Install a line of 4 inch drain tile and completely surround it with 6 inches of gravel.

If the soil is porous, install a cutoff wall of concrete or plastic film to prevent water from overrunning the collector tile. Connect the collector tile to a 4 inch pipe that leads to the spring box. The spring box inlet must be below the elevation of the collector tile.

Spring Box

Spring Box A good spring box is watertight and has some tightfitting lid or cover. Many are concrete; some are precast. Extend the box at least 3 feet below the water line and 1 foot above the ground line. Make it at least four feet deep and 3 feet wide or round. The size may be increased to fit reserve storage requirements.

Provide both an outlet pipe and an overflow pipe. The overflow must be lower than the upper end of the collector tile or pipe. The outlet may be a floating device connected to the outlet pipe. Install a drain for cleaning the spring box.


Spring Management

Divert surface water away from the spring box, and fence livestock from the collection area and the spring box. Avoid heavy animal and vehicle traffic over the water bearing strata, especially in the winter, to prevent compaction which can reduce water movement.

After the spring is developed or serviced, and before using the water in the house or milkhouse, be sure to disinfect the spring, spring box, and distribution system.

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