Sources of Water

SOURCES OF WATER
The sources of water supply may be generally classified as

a) Surface water
 Lakes and streams
 Ponds
 Rivers
 Impounding reservoirs
b) Underground water
 Springs
 Infiltration galleries
 Infiltration wells
 Wells
Surface water sources
1. Lakes and streams
 Sources of water supply scheme for hilly areas and small towns.
 Water from streams and lakes is generally free from undesirable impurities.
 Not considered as principal sources of water supply schemes for large cities as the
quantity of water available from them is very low.
 The quantity of runoff that goes to the lake should be accurately determined and it
should be seen that it is at least equal to the expected demand of locality
 Streams are formed by surface runoff and the flow in streams is quite ample only in
rainy season
2. Ponds
 Pond is man made body of standing water smaller than lake.
 They filled up with water in rainy season
 The quanity of water is very small and contains impurities.
 Not adopted as a source of water supply and its water can only be used for washing
clothes, for animals etc.
3. Rivers
 Large rivers contribute principal source of water supply schemes for many cities
 The quantity of water available from non-perennial rivers is variable throughout the
year and it likely to fall down in hot season when demand of water is high.
 The quality of surface water obtained from rivers is not reliable as it contains silt and
suspended impurities.
 River Discharges at various periods of the year are recorded and these observations
over a number of years serve as a guide for estimating the quantity of water available
from the river in any particular period of the year.
4. Impounding reservoirs (storage reservoirs)
 Defined as an artificial lake created by the construction of a dam across a valley
containing a water course
 It is to store or impound a portion of the stream flow so that it may be used for water
supply
 Chief source of water supply scheme for very big cities.
 The most important characteristic of a reservoir is its storage capacity and is worked
out with the help of contour map.
Underground sources for water supply scheme
Following terms are to be understood in connection with ground water
1. Aquifer
 The water bearing geologic formation or stratum which yields significant quantity of
water economic extraction is called aquifer.
 The top most aquifer is called unconfined aquifer. It extends from the ground surface
upto the impervious stratum beneath
 The aquifer which is sandwiched between two impervious layers is called Confined
aquifer.water in the confined aquifer is under pressure.
2. Ground water table
 The uppermost level of soil or top soil at ground level is generally pervious and the
rain water which is directly percolated through this top soil is contained in it.
 The upper surface of the free water in top soil is termed as the ground water level or
water table.
3. Perched water table.
 A perched water table (or perched aquifer) is an aquifer that occurs above the regional
water table.
 This occurs when there is an impermeable layer of rock or sediment or relatively
impermeable layer above the main water table/aquifer but below the land surface.
Cross section showing the water table varying with surface topography as well as a perched
water table
Forms of underground sources
Following are the four forms in which underground sources are found
1. Springs
2. Wells
3. Infiltration galleries.
4. Infiltration wells
Springs
 When ground water appears at the surface for any reason the springs are formed.
 Serve as source of water supply for small towns near hills.
 It is difficult to find a good spring for the purpose of water supply scheme.
 Types of springs: Artesian springs, Gravity springs.
Wells
 An artificial hole made in the ground for the purpose of tapping water.
 Chief source of water supply for most of its population in India.
 If the slope of the water bearing layer is towards the well, there will be some quantity of
water in the well even during the severe hot season. On the other hand if the slope of
water bearing stratum is away from the well will soon get dry.
 If the porosity of the aquifer is more, the well will easily collect more quantity of water.
 If the aquifers are capable of storing more water, the well will get more quantity of water
at a constant rate.
Infiltration galleries.
 It is horizontal or nearly horizontal tunnels which are constructed through water bearing
strata.
 Also called horizontal well
 Usually constructed of brick walls with slab roof
 Gallery obtains water from the water bearing strata by various porous drain pipes
 Porous drain pipes are covered with gravel, pebble etc. to prevent the entry of very fine
material into the pipe
 The gallery is laid at a slope and the water collected in the gallery is led to a sump from
where it is pumped and supplied to the consumers after proper treatment.
 Useful source of water supply when ground water is available in sufficient quantity just
below ground level.
 Galleries are usually constructed at depth of 5 to 10 meters from the ground level.
Infiltration wells
 These are vertical shallow wells constructed in series along the banks of the rivers.
 The wells are closed at top and open at bottom.
 It is constructed of brick masonry with open joints.
 For the inspection of wells, manholes are provided in the top cover
 The infiltration wells are connected by porous pipes to a collecting sump known as jack
well.
 Water collected through the infiltration wells flows by gravity into the jack well.
 The water from the jack well is pumped for treatment.
Classification of wells
 General classification
o Shallow wells: It is constructed in the uppermost layer of the earth’s surface and
obtain their water supply from the ground water table. Diameter of well varies
from 2 to 6m. If unlined well, generally constructed up to a maximum depth of
7m.
o Deep wells: It get their water supply from an aquifer below an impervious layer.
o Tube wells: Deep well having diameter of about 5 to20 cm and it obtains water
from number of aquifers.
o Artesian wells
 Classification based on method of construction
o Dug wells: A hole is made in the ground by manual labour till a flow of water is
reached. To prevent the entry of water directly from the source, a circular well of
small height is constructed at top. This method is adopted for shallow wells.
o Driven wells: It is constructed by driving a casing pipe 25mm- 100 mm in
diameter, the lower end of which is closed and pointed forming a well point. The
pipe is driven by hammer or lowered by water jet. Driven wells are restricted in
use to depths 12 m or so, where the aquifer happens to be close to the surface.
o Bored or drilled wells: In this method of construction, the wells are bored or
drilled into the ground with help of special boring or drilling equipment. A casing
pipe is driven into the hole. This method is adopted for the construction of tube
wells.

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SOURCES OF WATER

The sources of water supply may be generally classified as

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