PRIVATE

WATER SUPPLY
What are the available water supply sources for private
domestic use?
• Providing water in buildings is one of the most critical utility requirements. A
building without water supply is unfit for human habitation.
• Generally, potable water is supplied from a local utility firm through a public
water system.
• For buildings without public water system, an alternative source of water must be
considered; they are:
1. Springs
2. Wells
3. Rainwater
• The factors that affect springs and wells are:
1. Ground Formations – The sections of the ground formations relative to the
availability of ground water can define the suitability of the type of private water
supply source to be used.
2. Ground Water – The accumulated ground water tends to flow towards a
natural outlet referred to as a spring. Water lying above the impermeable layer is
known as ground water and its surface is referred to as the water table.
• In most conditions, springs are shallow wells with water supply just a few meters
from the ground surface. For convenience of usage, a spring box is provided, a
structure that serves as a collector for spring water.
• Wells are holes or shafts sunk into the earth to obtain water from a water table or
an aquifer.

It should be noted that the terms “shallow” and “deep” as used have no bearing upon the
measured depth.
• The types of wells according to the method of its construction are:
1. Dug 2. Bored
3. Driven 4. Drilled

• Dug well is a well 0.90 to 6.00 meter in diameter dug through soft upper soil.
The sides may be of masonry or concrete to prevent from caving-in. It is
necessary that the well should be impervious to a depth of at least 3.00
meters.
• A Bored Well is constructed using either hand or power driven earth auger. A
well casing is lowered to the bottom of the hole. Cement grout is poured into
the gap between the hole and the casing to prevent contamination.
• A Driven Well is done by forcing into the earth a 60 to 90 cm long piece of
perforated steel tube attached to a pointed screen called a “drive point”
• A drilling rig is used to drill the well hole and then a casing pipe is forced down
the hole to prevent it from caving-in. When a water-bearing stratum of
sufficient capacity is found, a well screen is set in place to permit the water to
flow into the casing and to hold back the fine material.
 Rainwater Harvesting
• Rainwater harvesting remains a viable water source alternative that can be used for
flushing water closets & urinals, car washing, as well as for landscape purposes
wherein potable water is not necessary.
• This system typically employs a cistern or covered reservoir tanks to store water
collected from roofs or other relatively clean, impervious surfaces.