KEY FACTS ON PROTECTION OF SPRINGS



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY

Springs are natural groundwater outflows. There are two types of springs, namely gravity and artesian springs. Examples of the two types are shown in the fig 1.

The main parts of a spring water protection are:

i. A drain under the lowest natural water level. The drain usually is placed in a gravel pack covered with sand and may lead to a conduit or a reservoir.

ii. A protective structure providing stability and may be made of concrete or masonry

iii. A seal to prevent surface water from leaking in and is usually made of puddle clay and sometimes plastic.

iv. A screened overflow pipe guarantees that the water can flow freely out of the spring at all times.

v. A ditch, known as the interceptor drain, diverts surface water away from the spring box and prevents contamination as a result of infiltration from the surface.

vi. A fence keeps animals out of the spring area.

There are many types of spring protection depending on topography, the structure of the ground and the characteristics of the spring source. It is recommended that whatever method is employed should be feasible, simple and not complex. See fig 2.

1. DESCRIPTION OF O&M ACTIVITIES

Water should flow out freely all the time. In order to prevent contamination and leakages, the following activities should be undertaken:

3. O&M REQUIREMENTS

|Activity |Frequency |Human resources|Materials & spare parts |Tools & equipment |

|Clean spring surroundings |Weekly |Local | |Broom, bucket, hoe, machete |

|Check colour (turbidity) |After each flood |Local | | |

|Check water quantity |Occasionally |Local | |Bucket, watch |

|Repair fence and clean |Occasionally |Local |Wood, rope, wire |Machete, axe, knife, hoe, spade, |

|surface drains | | | |pick axe |

|Check water quality |Regularly |District |Laboratory reagents |Laboratory equipment |

|Wash and disinfect spring |Annually |Local |Chlorine |Bucket, wrench, brush |

|Repair piping and valves |Occasionally |Local or |Spare pipes and valves, |Bucket, trowel, wrench, flat |

| | |district |cement, sand, gravel |spanners |

|Repair cracks |Annually |Local |Cement, sand. Gravel, |Bucket, trowel, hoe, spade, wheel |

| | | |day |barrow |

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN O&M

|Village level |

|Actor |Roles / Responsibility |Skills required |

|Users |Manage the usage of the spring (e.g. |Basic skills in spring protection and O&M. |

| |preventive maintenance, fundraising, |Hygiene education |

| |hygiene education) | |

|Caretakers |Conduct preventive maintenance, |Basic skills in spring protection and O&M. |

| |repairs, keep records and enforce |Hygiene education |

| |rules. |Leadership and organisational skills |

|V-WASHE committee |Making decisions, planning, organising |Basic skills in spring protection and O&M. |

| |and controlling the overall Operation |Hygiene education |

| |and Maintenance. |Democratic leadership skills |

| | |Facilitation and Management skills |

|Sub District Level |

|Area Mechanics (private |Conduct repairs and training of |Spring protection and maintenance skills. |

|sector) |caretakers |Facilitation/Training skills |

|Sub district WASHE |Monitor and facilitate implementation |Participatory skills in planning and implementation of O&M |

| |of O&M activities. |Basic skills in spring protection and maintenance |

|District Level |

|D-WASHE committee |Monitor and facilitate implementation |Participatory skills in planning and implementation of O&M |

| |of O&M. |Skills in spring protection and maintenance |

| | |Capacity Building skills |

| |Capacity Building. | |

5. COSTS

Capital costs depend on many factors such as the nature of the spring, topography and location. In Northern Province, a properly protected spring costs between 5 million and 10 million kwacha ($1000 and $2000 - December 2004 exchange rate). Major cost items include: cement, reinforcement bars, pipes, transport and skilled labour. The design for a particular spring should determine the actual cost.

Recurrent costs are generally low and in some cases may be as low as 2000 kwacha ($0.4) per year per household.

6. COMMON PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES

|Problem |Causes |Remedy |

|Decreased flow of water |Clogged collection system |Unblock (clean collection pipes, take out gravel / filter |

| | |media and replace it). |

| |Spring drying up |Try increasing size of catchment |

| |Blocked supply pipe |Unblock and clean supply pipes |

| |Leakage or bypass |Repair leaks |

| |Silted spring box |Scour and clean spring box |

|Clogged water collection |Siltation |Dig out catchment, clean pipes, ensure pipes are laid at 2 |

|system | |degrees gradient. |

| |Plant roots |Dig out catchment, remove roots |

|Contamination of spring |Cracks in the seal |Mend cracks |

|water. | | |

| |Human activities that promote |Conduct Participatory hygiene education |

| |pollution | |

| |Animal activity |Repair fence |

|Erosion and / or collapse of|Wrong design |Redesign spring catchment |

|spring box | | |

| |Construction errors |Employ skilled labour force and increase supervision during |

| | |reconstruction |

| |Large surface runoff flows |Provide adequate drainage system |

| |Animal tramping |Repair fence |

|Damaged piping |Faulty construction |Provide adequate cover (burry pipe) |

| |Animal tramping |Repair fence |

| |Corrosion |Use appropriate pipes (PVC) |

| |Vandalism |Enforce security measures / education |

7. LIMITATIONS AND REMARKS

8. FURTHER REFERENCE

• IRC (1997), Linking Technology Choice with Operation and Maintenance for low cost Water Supply and Sanitation, The Hague, Netherlands

• P-WASHE, Northern Province (2002), Concept Paper on Traditional Water Sources, Kasama

• P-WASHE, Northern Province (2004), Manual on springs, Kasama

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Fig 1: types of springs

[pic]

[pic]

Fig 2: Spring Box

• Ensure the surrounding is clean and properly fenced.

• Protect vegetative cover in the recharge area and immediate surroundings of the spring.

• Prevent roots from clogging the spring.

• Regularly monitor water flow from spring box (colour, amount of flow) and take water samples for analysis.

• Wash out accumulated silt annually.

• Prevent soil erosion and maintain storm drain.

• Maintain spring box, valves and pipes regularly.

• Conduct PHHE to enhance hygienic practices

Remarks

Spring water is preferred for drinking by most rural communities in Northern Province. Although communities might need external assistance for capital costs, they are able to meet recurrent cost.

Limitations

• Springs are vulnerable to pollution.

• Springs may be located too far from the households.

• Springs may not deliver enough water during certain parts of the year and may not produce water of acceptable taste.

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