Hydraulic ram pumps and Sling Pumps

Protecting Water Supply Springsbearing layer is about 3 feet underground. Water flows on top of this layer in sand or graveltoward the surface seep.2. Dig a 2-foot-wide trench across the slope to a depth of 6 inches below the water-bearing layer andextending 4 to 6 feet beyond the seep area on each side. Install a 4-inch collector tile andcompletely surround the tile with gravel.3. Connect the collector tile to a 4-inch line leading to the spring box. The box inlet must be belowthe elevation of the collector tile.The spring box should be watertight (most are made of reinforced concrete) and have a tight-fitting"shoebox" cover. (See figure 3.) It should be at least 4 feet tall and should extend at least 1 foot aboveground level when buried. The size of the spring box depends on the amount of storage needed.Typically, it should be at least 3 feet square, which would provide storage of 135 gallons with waterstanding 2 feet deep. If the size were increased to 4 feet square, the amount of storage would increase to240 gallons with water standing 2 feet deep.The spring box should have and outlet pipe and an overflow pipe. The overflow pipe should be screenedand located below the collector pipe or tile so that water will not back up behind the spring. The overflowmay be a floating device conn ected to the outlet pipe. Install a drain for cleaning the box.Spring ProtectionSprings are susceptible to contamination by surface water, especially during rainstorms. Contaminationsources include livestock, wildlife, crop fields, forestry activities, septic systems, and fuel tanks locatedupslope from the spring outlet. Changes in color, taste, odor, or flow rate indicate possible contaminationby surface water. To protect springs you can take the following measures. (see Figure 4.)1. Divert all surface water away from the spring as far as possible. Do no allow flooding near thespring.2. Construct a U-shaped surface drainage diversion ditch or an earth berm at least 50 feet uphill formthe spring to divert any surface runoff away from the spring. Be careful not to dig deep enough touncover flowing groundwater. Prevent pounding in the d iversion ditch.3. Construct an earth berm adjacent to the spring or a second U-shaped diversion ditch lined withconcrete tile for added protection.4. Fence an area at least 100 feet in all directions around the spring box to prevent contamination byanimals and people who are unaware of the spring's location.5. Avoid heavy vehicle traffic over the uphill water bearing layer to prevent compaction that mayreduce water flow.http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/ag473-15.html (5 of 7) [1/13/2005 12:48:37 PM]