Hydraulic ram pumps and Sling Pumps

Protecting Water Supply SpringsConcentrated springs occur along hillsides in mountain and piedmont areas at points where groundwateremerges naturally from openings in rock (Figure 1a). These are the easiest springs to develop and protectfrom contamination. Proper development for concentrated springs consists of intercepting waterunderground in its natural flowpath before it reaches the land surface. One type of concentrated springfound in valleys or other low areas is termed a low-area spring (Figure 1b). Low-area springs are not aseasily protected as those located in higher areas where other surface water naturally drains away from thespring.Seepage springs occur where groundwater "seeps" from the soil over large areas (Figure 2a). Thedevelopment process for seepage springs consists of intercepting flowing groundwater over a wide areaunderground and channeling it to a collect ion point. Because seepage springs collect water over largeareas, they are more difficult to protect from surface water contamination than concentrated springs.To develop a concentrated spring you should take the following steps (Figures 1a and 1b):1. Dig upslope from the spring outlet to a point where flowing water is at least 3 feet underground orwhere rock is encountered.2. Install a rock bed to form an interception reservoir. On the downslope side, install a cutoff wall ofconcrete or plastic. The cutoff wall may not be necessary for a low-area spring, where the springbox may serve as the collector.3. Insert a collector pipe low in the cutoff wall to guide water into the spring box. As much aspossible, prevent water from backing up behind the wall.http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/ag473-15.html (3 of 7) [1/13/2005 12:48:37 PM]