Technical brief

Protection of spring sources
Part of a series ofWaterAid technology
briefs.
Available online atwww.wateraid.org/technologies
January 2013

Fig 1: A protected spring

Introduction
Surface springs occur where groundwater emerges at the surface because
an impervious layer of rock prevents seepage downwards or where the watertable is high enough to intersect a depression in the local topography.
A spring source can be used either to supply a gravity scheme or to provide
a single outlet, running continuously, which is set at a sufficient height toallow a bucket or container to be placed below it. With the latter, to prevent
waste, any flow which is surplus to that required for domestic use can beused for irrigation.

Technical brief

Protection of spring sources

Advantages of spring protection schemes✓ Water coming naturally to the surface limits need for pumping✓ Low maintenance and running costs✓ Can be high yielding source of good quality – no need for treatment

Disadvantages of spring protection schemes✗ Yield can diminish or dry up during extreme drought periods✗ Regular maintenance needed around the spring head to prevent pollution

Spring protection
Many different methods exist forgetting the clear spring water fromits source into the bucket or pipeline.
These are described in detail in
textbooks such as those provided in
the reference section at the end of
this paper. The essential matters are
to protect the catchment of the spring
and the spring head from pollution,and to arrange for the spring water tobe delivered at a suitable height sothat it falls with gravity directly into acontainer. An inspection of the ground
upstream (catchment) of the spring isessential to ascertain that there is nodanger of pollution or, if there is, what
measures can be taken to prevent it.
The following points should beconsidered when investigating a
potential spring source:• Ensure the spring is not reallya stream which has goneunderground and is re-emerging.
• Ensure the source and thecollection area are not likely to bepolluted by surface run-off.
• Check that there are no latrines
within 30 metres, particularly
upstream of the spring.
• Fence the area around the springtank to prevent pollution bychildren or livestock.
• Make sure that, if the spring is to beconnected to a piped water system,it is on higher ground than the area
to be supplied so the water will flow
with gravity.

• Take care that the spring tank is
not built on swampy ground or onland which is subject to erosion
or flooding and that the flow fromthe protected spring itself will notcause erosion or damage.

Typical spring flow rates
The rate of water flow from thespring will vary with the seasons. It
is necessary to measure the spring’s
flow at the end of the dry season todetermine its potential reliable yield.
A flow in excess of 0.1 litres per
second is sufficient to fill a 20 litre
container in just over three minutes,
which is an acceptable waiting time.
From such a spring, a daily usefulyield of about 3000 litres can beexpected, which is enough water for
about 150 people.
If the flow were to be only 0.05 litres
per second it could still be madeto supply the same population byincorporating a storage tank of one
cubic metre capacity. This enables theflow from the spring over the full 24hours to be stored, allowing enoughwater to be supplied at peak demands
and throughout the day to meetintermittent demands by means of a
tap in the structure.
If the flow is 0.5 litres per second or
more, the source would be suitableto supply multiple outlets or a piped
gravity scheme.

Technical brief2Technical brief

Protection of spring sources

Stages in the protection of aspring

Stage two:

The following three diagrams illustrate
the stages in the construction of acollecting chamber.
Stage one:

• Place large stones above the headof the spring• Construct the collection chamber
Stage three:• Further protection of the springhead by layers of impervious
material above it• Clear vegetation above the head ofthe spring• Build a cut-off drain to divert
surface water• Divert the spring water temporarily
to allow construction of thecollection chamber
Fig 2: Stages of spring protection
Stage oneCut-off drain

Plan view

Springeye
Clear vegetation

Clay

Temporary diversion ofspring water

Spring eyeStage two
Plan view

Large stones

Puddled clay

Masonry

Steps foraccessOutlet pipes
Drainage

Stage threeFence
Cut-off drain
EarthClay
SandGravel
Spring eye
StonesMasonry
OutletDrainage

Clay
Concrete apron

Technical brief3

Technical brief

Protection of spring sources

References
Davis J and Lambert R (1995) Engineering in emergencies. IT Publications
Pickford J (editor) (1991) Worth of water. IT Publications
Shaw R (1999) Running water. IT Publications
These three publications include more details on the protection of spring sources,
as well as other aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene technologies.

Technical brief

4

Technical brief

Case study

Protection of spring sources

Protection of a spring source in Kazo slum, Wakiso district in
Kampala city, UgandaChildren collecting
water at the springin Kazo slum,
Kampala, Uganda

Photo: WaterAidAlthough Kazo slum is not far fromthe main road under which thecity’s water pipes run, the city waterauthority was not willing to pipe water
to the slum. They didn’t want to dig
through the waterlogged ground of
the slum – land which officially didn’t
belong to anybody – because they
were worried about who would footthe bill.

In partnership with YIFODA(Youth Initiative for DevelopmentAssociation) WaterAid identified aspring in the slum which could besealed and protected to establish it
as a safe water source. The spring
now bustles with life as hundredsof children come here every daycarrying jerry cans of varying sizes tocollect water for their families.

Technical brief

5

Watersourceoptions:
See howspringprotection
comparesto other water source options
Watersource
options:
See how spring
protection
comparesto other water
source options

Technical briefProtection of spring sources

Bacteriologicalwater quality

Situation in which technology ismost applicable

Good if springcatchment isadequately protected

Reliable spring flow required
throughout the year

Good if area upstreamof dam is protected

Can be constructed acrossseasonal river beds onimpermeable bedrock

Water source

Capital costRunning cost

Yield

Springprotection

Low or medium if
piped to community

LowHigh

Sand dams

Low – local labourand materials used

Low

Medium/high –depending on method
used to abstract water.
Water can be abstracted
from the sand andgravel upstream of thesand dam via a well or
tubewell

Sub surface
dams

Low – local labourand materials used

Low

Medium/high –Good if area upstream
depending on methodof dam is protected
used to abstract water.
Water can be abstracted
from the sand, gravel orsoil upstream of the subsurface dam via a well ortubewellCan be constructed in sediments
across seasonal river beds onimpermeable bedrock

Infiltration
galleries

Low – a basic
infiltration gallery
can be constructedusing local labourand materials

Low

Medium/high –depending on method
used to abstract waterGood if filtration
medium is wellmaintained

Should be constructed next tolake or river

Rainwater
harvesting

Low – low costLowmaterials can beused to build storage
tanks and catchment
surfaces

Medium – dependent on
size of collection surface
and frequency of rainfall

Good if collection
In areas where there are one or
surfaces are kept clean two wet seasons per year
and storage containers
are well maintained

Hand-dug wellcapped with arope pump

Low

Medium – spare parts
required for pump

MediumGood if rope andpump mechanisms aresealed and protectedfrom dust. Area around
well must be protected

Where the water table is not
lower than six metres – althoughcertain rope pumps can lift
water from depths of up to 40
metresHand-dug wellcapped with ahand pump

MediumMedium – spare parts
required for pump

MediumGood if area around
well is protected

Where the water table is not
lower than six metres

Tube wellor borehole
capped with ahand pump

Medium – welldrilling equipment
needed. Boreholemust be lined

Medium – hand pumps
need spare parts

MediumGood if area aroundborehole/tubewell is
protected

Where a deep aquifer must beaccessed

Gravity supply

High – pipelines and Low
storage/flow balancetanks required

High

Good if protectedspring used as source

Stream or spring at higher
elevation – communities served
via tap stands close to the homeBorehole
capped withelectrical/diesel/solarpump

High – pump andstorage expensive

High – fuel or power
Highrequired to run pump.
Fragile solar cells need tobe replaced if damaged

Good if source isprotected

In a small town with a large
enough population to pay forrunning costs

Directriver/lakeabstraction
with treatment

High – intake must
be designed andconstructedHigh – treatment andpumping often required.
Power required for
operation

Good following
treatment

Where large urban populationmust be served

ReverseosmosisHigh – sophisticated High – power required for Highplant andoperation. Replacement
membranes required membranes required

Good

Where large urban populationmust be servedHouseholdfilters

High – certain filters
can be expensive topurchase/produce

Filters can be fragile.
Replacement filters canbe expensive or difficult
to source

Low

Good as long as
regular maintainanceis assured

In situations where inorganic
contaminants are present
in groundwater sources orprotected sources are notavailable

SODIS (solardisinfection)

Low – although
clear bottles can bedifficult to source inremote areas

LowLow

GoodIn areas where there is adequate
sunlight – water needs to be
filtered to remove particulatematter that may harbour
pathogens before SODIS can be
carried out effectively. SODIS
is not appropriate for use withturbid water= most preferable= preferable

High= least preferable

Technical brief6Technical brief

Protection of spring sources

WaterAid transforms lives by improving accessto safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s
poorest communities. We work with partners andinfluence decision-makers to maximise our impact.
Registered charity numbers:
Australia: ABN 99 700 687 141
Sweden: Org.nr: 802426-1268, PG: 90 01 62-9, BG: 900-1629
UK: Registered charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
US: WaterAid America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Technical brief

7