Sewage systems are designed to drain liquid waste from places where people live and work. Structurally, the sewerage system consists of two main parts: pipelines and wells. Wells are intended primarily for inspection, cleaning or repair of sections of sewer pipes. Designs are classified into several types: by purpose, type of material, device.
Types of sewage drains
Types of wells are classified according to the type of wastewater required for disposal:
- Industrial wastes. These include waters that have changed their chemical composition as a result of industrial activities. As a rule, this type of sewage system has special collection, drainage and treatment systems.
- Domestic waste. This is water mixed with various wastes from residential complexes. Pollution can be divided into household and fecal. In the private sector, both types of wells are often installed in a spaced pattern: fecal wells are closer to the roadway for pumping and removal, and utility wells are located in the back of the yard or garden. Subsequently, the gray waste can be pumped out independently, for example, to a compost heap.
- Atmospheric and drainage effluents. These are rain, melt, flood waters, and sometimes groundwater. The familiar gutters on the roof are the sewage system for atmospheric wastewater. Water can be collected centrally in special containers for watering the garden or distributed to low-lying areas of the site, setting up there, for example, a small pond for ducks. Drainage drains are installed at high groundwater levels in order to protect the underground structures of buildings as much as possible.
The sewer systems themselves are divided into floating and export. Floating ones move wastewater to treatment facilities or the city sewer. The latter are intended for collecting wastewater into an autonomous well with subsequent removal by special ATX transport.
Classification of wells by purpose
Different wells and purposes:
- Cumulative. These are, as a rule, tanks with a capacity of 3 cubic meters. m or more, intended for direct collection and short-term storage of wastewater with subsequent removal. Pumping is carried out either with special equipment or independently. Most of the storage wells are domestic and atmospheric.
- Collector. Designed to collect wastewater from several sewer systems and distribute it to a common collector or to city wastewater treatment plants. Usually they include floating and storage systems of a microdistrict or residential complex.
- Filtering. The design of the well bottom provides for the release of gray water (not contaminated with toxic waste) directly into the ground in a natural way. These small treatment facilities can be cleaned of accumulated dense fractions once every year or two. They are installed mainly in sandy and sandy loam soils, in the absence or low location of groundwater. This type of well is a floating type of sewerage system that is quite economical and does not require frequent maintenance and cleaning.
- Observations. They are constructed on sections longer than 50 m, as well as at turning points and junctions of highways. Necessary for auditing the operation of the sewer system, for cleaning and possible repairs. Installed in both types of sewer systems.
- Drops. They are installed in areas with large differences in elevation, when it is necessary to reduce the natural slope of the pipe. Such wells are installed in waste and float sewers.
Separate from everyone else are the so-called septic wells. They have a filter and storage element of the system. Modern septic tanks are capable of processing organic waste. They are reluctant to use due to their high cost.
Types of materials for wells
Wells are made from various materials. Most often used:
- ceramic brick;
- cinder blocks;
- limestone;
- stone;
- reinforced concrete structures;
- sheet steel;
- plastic and composite materials.
Round wells are made from ceramic bricks, cinder blocks, shell limestone or any stone. They are suitable for small volumes. One person can build such a well.
Brick wells have recently become less and less popular due to their labor intensity. Common in autonomous sewer systems, mainly in the private sector.
Reinforced concrete wells come in two types: monolithic concrete and prefabricated concrete rings. Monolithic wells are designed for small volumes. They can be done without the use of special equipment. They are quite labor-intensive to perform - it is necessary to set up the formwork and reinforcement, prepare, correctly lay and cure the concrete mixture in layers, remove the formwork, and arrange the ceiling. If the depth is shallow, the shape of the well can be any.
In urban areas, prefabricated wells are the most common. They consist of standard prefabricated rings of a meter in height and diameter, bottom plates and a covering with an opening for a hatch. The advantages of wells of this type are quick installation and significant depth. Disadvantage: involving equipment for transportation and installation of concrete elements.
Metal wells are a container made of sheet steel. For such purposes, old tanks, large-diameter pipes with welded ends, and welded rectangular structures are often used. Before installation, the metal is carefully primed inside and out, inlets and hatches for inspection are cut out. The main disadvantage of such a well is the susceptibility of iron to corrosion and the impossibility of repair. Metal wells are used very rarely in everyday life, because installation requires special equipment, and the cost of iron on the secondary market is quite high.
Plastic or composite wells tolerate temperature fluctuations well, are airtight and durable. Such structures are functional, durable, light in weight, easy to install, and resistant to chemical influences.
Storage well: example of a device
As an example, we can consider the detailed design of storage and filter wells, which are the most common in the private sector of the city and country cottages.
The volume of the well depends on the number of people living and the equipment installed in the house. In a modern two-story cottage, as a rule, there is a kitchen sink, a bathroom with a sink, a toilet, a washing machine and a dishwasher on the first floor and a toilet with a sink or shower on the second. Such equipment is optimal for a comfortable stay for a family of an average of 5 people. As stated above, it is best to arrange both types of wells: storage for collecting fecal waste and filtering for household waste.
A storage well is installed in the lowest part of the site to ensure the best movement of water through the pipeline. This well is intended only for collecting fecal matter from toilets and must be made from concrete rings or from a factory-made plastic container.
Before installation, reinforced concrete rings must be coated with a special waterproofing compound, and the joints are sealed. Plastic wells, despite their higher cost, are preferable because they are more convenient to install and operate. It is better to entrust the selection and installation of such a well to a special organization. The well must be accessible for a tanker truck to pump out sewage.
Filter well: example of a device
The filter well has similar functions and design, but it does not have a bottom. The base of the well is a multilayer filter made of layers of sand and gravel of various sizes. You can make such a well from concrete rings or brickwork - in the lower part, several rows are laid with holes in a checkerboard pattern for water to escape. Wastewater does not linger in the well and flows freely into the ground. It is best to direct slightly polluted water into this well, for example, from a bath or kitchen. After installation, line the bottom of the well with crushed stone from the outside so that the soil does not penetrate inside the trunk.
Perhaps in the near future, robotic systems for repairing and cleaning pipelines will appear. But until this wonderful time comes, people will need to climb into sewer wells day and night, winter and summer and do hard, dirty, but necessary work to ensure cleanliness in their homes.
Clay well - water from clay
The well is built in clay from start to finish. The easiest well to build. Approximately 65% of all wells in Russia are clay wells. Aquifers are found in clay and are considered the purest waters. They are found at depths from 4 to 32 m. Most well builders do not understand the intricacies of this craft and do not see passing waters, not noticing them due to poor flow. Sometimes customers are reluctant to accept such wells with low water yield. It is necessary to understand that a young clay well may produce little water in the first year. After 2-3 years, the water will erode the opened springs and the flow of water into the well will increase several times. Rocking a well - this concept applies only to clay wells!
If the well is professionally built, a major clay castle is made, and it is properly operated, then the water in it will be soft without dangerous amounts of metal and mineral impurities. People call this water living water.
Clay well - water from clay quicksand
Complex well in construction. A well's trunk is rarely straight. Such wells are almost full of water. Usually the depth of these wells does not exceed 10 rings. In such wells, the lower ring is covered with clay quicksand. This fact haunts the owners - the wells are constantly being cleaned, they are trying to deepen, pump, fill the bottom with crushed stone - all this is pointless. You need to understand and know how to use such wells.
You need to take water very carefully. If you have, for example, 5 rings of water, lower the pump 2 rings down, the lower 3 rings should remain at rest. It is impossible to pump such wells (pump out the water completely)! One-time pumping should not exceed 10-15% of the total water level. Only in this case the water in the well will be clean and transparent.
Water from blue clay may smell of hydrogen sulfide; the smell is not persistent and will soon disappear.
Clay well - water from sand
Complex well in construction. Most craftsmen, those who undertake the construction of wells, do not know how to plant rings in a sandy aquifer. Shabashniks who are able to convince the customer that building a well is easy and simple, when they find themselves on quicksand, their faces change. A properly constructed well in quicksand is rare.
Pumping the well (completely pumping out the water) is not allowed! Water arrives in such wells very quickly. The bottom ring is tightened with quicksand and this is normal. The water level in such wells rarely exceeds 1.5 meters. A water column of 1.2 m in such a well is considered normal. One-time pumping should not exceed 15-25% of the total level of the water column. Only in this case will the water be clean. An attempt to pump out water in such a well may result in the water in the well becoming cloudy. The worst case scenario is that the sandy bottom will rise, and where there was water there will be sand.
Clay well - water from stone
Complex well in construction. In rocky ground, the rings are tight even for a strong team. When passing stones with water, you need to be three-stranded in order to lower the ring at least 10 cm. Only very hardy masters can stand knee-deep in icy water and pick out stones from under the rings. The level of the water column in such wells does not exceed 70-80 cm - this is through-flow water. Such wells are not uncommon, approximately 5 out of 20 wells have running water.
Sandy well - water from sand (quicksand)
The most difficult well in construction. The well shaft is built in sand from top to bottom. Approximately 80% of all sand wells are not dug. The rings stand up as soon as they enter the wet sand. You cannot build a well without certain knowledge and skills. Shallow wells must be built correctly from the very beginning, since deepening them is very difficult and expensive. The purity of water in wells depends on the quality of sand in the aquifer. You cannot pump the well (pump out the water completely)! 1.5 m - a column of water in such a well is considered normal. One-time pumping should not exceed 15-25% of the total column level.
Swamp well - water from peat
Complex well in construction. The difficulty lies in the fact that wet sand and peat firmly hold the concrete rings and do not allow them to settle to the bottom. Peat water has a brown tint, it is soft, without scale. Sometimes the water emits a faint sweetish smell of hydrogen sulfide, which immediately evaporates. Many people are squeamish about such water. No matter what, the water in such wells is considered drinkable and very tasty.
In some peat wells the water is high, just below ground level. There is a danger that in winter the upper ring may be lifted by frost, and in the spring melt water and dirt will penetrate into the formed gap into the well. To prevent the ring from being torn off by frost, it is necessary to raise the soil around the well by 30-50 cm, having first wrapped the ring in film.
The main and most difficult thing when building a well is the storage part of the well
The wells may seem identical only at first glance. Even if they are built five meters from each other, they may differ in depth, quality and water level. An experienced craftsman can read from the soil where the aquifer is. To be able to predict: how much water there will be, what quality it will be and what will happen to the well in a year - this is the skill of well builders.
In the well shaft there may be several sections with abundant aquifers:
- high waters
Water that is located in the fertile layer on the surface of the earth is called surface water. A well that collects surface water is considered a drainage well.
Such wells are not considered drinking wells.
- pressure water
Some well workers call this horizon “capillary” because you can see droplets of water appearing from the clay one after another. The water from this horizon is the purest. The pressure comes out of the clay without sandy layers. But there is one drawback of such wells - a small amount of water in winter and during drought in summer. Approximately 20% of wells are drying up. It is not difficult to deepen such wells; water will flow faster, but the quality of the water can change dramatically. Scale in the kettle will tell you that the water has become hard. So, before deepening a well, you need to think about what is more important: the quality or quantity of water. If water is not taken from the well for 2-5 months, the water may stagnate. Most wells sit on this aquifer. In an hour, such wells can produce up to 1 cubic meter of water.
- passing waters
The waters are in constant movement. It is from this horizon that springs emerge in the ravines. Inviting living water into a well is the highest aerobatics of well business. Sometimes, in order to reach the passing horizon, you need to show incredible perseverance and endurance. It is difficult to go deep into the passage horizon, since it usually passes through stones, limestone, or a rock formation between slabs. The work is being carried out in water, since there is no point in pumping out the water due to the strong influx. To get huge boulders while standing knee-deep in water, with a lack of oxygen, getting wet to the skin, at an ever-increasing pace so that the rings don’t get pinched - all this needs to be done without stopping, in 3-12 hours. Work experience sometimes comes second. The main qualities of a good team are endurance and responsibility. Most amateurs, those who take on the construction of a well, have no idea about this and are simply not ready for such developments. The weak team, having reached the passage of water, stops all work.
It is difficult to pump water from a well with flowing water due to the strong flow. The water in the well is always fresh.
- stagnant waters
Digging soil with water and understanding it is a whole school. Even in the quicksand there is a passage horizon with clean water. In quicksand, passing water is often not noticed and goes lower, where the water does not exchange and stands motionless for centuries. Well workers call such horizons “pockets” - stagnant waters. Such wells are extremely rare.
If you take a metal rod and put it into the fire, and after a few minutes you take it out of the fire, the metal will take on the quality of fire. Likewise, water, standing motionless for centuries in soils rich in metals and minerals, takes on their properties.
If the water smells like iron, after a while the water will turn yellow-brown. When boiling water, a large amount of scale settles, and a rainbow film forms on the surface of the water - this is stagnant water. It will not be possible to pump out water dry in such a well; the water arrives very quickly.
— confined aquifer
When constructing deep wells, a confined aquifer is often tapped. Water begins to flow unexpectedly and rapidly. In a few minutes the water rises several meters.
One of the main elements of a modern drainage system is a sewer well. We often come across the hatches of these structures, even if we are just walking along the city streets. But the autonomous sewer system, which a private owner installs on his property, also uses wells.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the classification of wells for sewage systems presented by us. They were divided into types according to their functional purpose and the material used in their manufacture. The article will help you understand the varieties and choose the appropriate option.
The detailed information we offer about the types and operational features of wells, which are an essential component of the sewer system, is supplemented with diagrams, videos and photos for visual perception.
Sewage is one of the essential attributes of civilized life. And it doesn’t matter whether we are talking about the life of a large industrial city or a separate family living in a country cottage. Through this communication, waste is drained, the disposal of which in its absence would be a big problem.
Sewage systems, like any other structures, require maintenance. Their condition must be monitored: maintain operational functions by periodically performing routine repairs.
If the system becomes clogged, emergency intervention may be necessary. To ensure all these processes are needed.
Despite all the variety of functions assigned to sewer wells, all of them, one way or another, are designed to maintain the sewerage network in working order
If it seems to you that the hatches, by which we determine the presence of a well on the street, are located chaotically, then this is not so. There is SNiP “Sewerage. External networks and structures”, which defines standards regarding the number and location of wells, their types, construction technology, as well as requirements for the maintenance of sewer systems.
Wells are installed in all types of sewer systems that drain domestic, storm and industrial wastewater
Classification of wells for sewerage
Structures related, according to technical terminology, to sewer wells are divided into several types.
The division is made depending on what classifying features we will use. For example, you can divide wells by material of manufacture, by purpose or by the method of their construction.
The type of structure to which a particular sewer well can be classified depends on the type of classification characteristic applied to it
The following classification characteristics and the corresponding types of modern sewer wells are distinguished. The first is produced by the medium, which is transported by the sewer system.
The drainage networks on which sewer wells are installed are designed to move wastewater of different composition and degree of aggressiveness, these are:
- Household. These include waters that have changed their composition as a result of mixing with waste and garbage. Depending on the contaminants they contain, they are divided into household and fecal.
- Industrial. These include waters that have changed their mechanical and chemical composition as a result of contamination with industrial waste.
- Atmospheric. These include water formed as a result of the active melting of winter precipitation, flood and rain water.
In addition to the listed types of wastewater, the sewerage system receives flows collected by the drainage system, the task of which is to drain the territory or drain groundwater from underground building structures.
Wells of sewer systems are divided according to the material of manufacture into:
- Brick. Brick was once a commonly used material for making wells, but over time there are fewer and fewer brick structures.
- Concrete. Concrete structures are today the traditional material option for a sewer well.
- Plastic. It is obvious that compositions with a polymer base are the material of the future; it will one day replace both brick and concrete.
Plastic or composite ready-made well structures are attractive because they are lightweight and easy to install. They are pleased with their resistance to chemical influences during prolonged contact with aggressive environments. They tolerate sharp and smooth temperature fluctuations well and do not let or absorb water at all.
Of course, on a city scale there is no longer any point in making sewer wells out of brick, but in an autonomous sewerage network such structures are still found
Sewage systems are divided into floating and export. The former move wastewater to treatment plants, facilities or discharge fields. The latter only collect wastewater for subsequent pumping and removal. The wells included in both types of systems perform both identical and different functions.
According to their functional responsibilities they are divided into:
- Cumulative. They are used to accumulate wastewater for subsequent extraction and removal. Naturally, they are constructed in sewerage systems.
- Collector. Designed to collect wastewater from several sewer branches and to direct it to a storage tank, treatment plant or discharge fields. They are installed in both floating and export branched networks.
- Filtering. They are used to dispose of the liquid fraction of wastewater naturally. They play the role of compact treatment facilities that transport pollutant-free media into the ground or into water bodies. They accompany exclusively the floatable type of sewerage.
- Observations. They are constructed on collector sections longer than 50 m, as well as at all turning points and junction points of highways. Necessary for monitoring the operation of the sewer system, for periodic cleaning and repair activities. They are installed in both types of sewers.
- Variable. They are located in areas with sharp changes in altitude. The reasons for the construction include ensuring a buried discharge into the reservoir and the need to slow down the flow on sections of the pipeline with a large slope. They may be present in both exhaust and floating sewers.
The classification of manholes is much more complex. We'll talk about this a little below, but now we'll look at different types of wells in more detail.
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Storage and filter type
A storage well is a large sewer well into which all sewage from a private home flows. The required size of this structure is determined by the number of people living in the house and the volume of water they use.
When we talk about a storage well, it means that the place of its use will be a suburban area, and not an urban or even rural network
Typically, a storage well is placed in the lowest part of the site. This ensures the required angle of inclination, allowing the drains to move spontaneously under the influence of gravity along.
This structure is often made of plastered reinforced concrete rings. For the same purpose, you can use a factory-made plastic container.
The plastic well is convenient both in installation and in operation. Of course, when installing it, you also need to have some knowledge and skills, but still its installation is simpler than working with its concrete counterpart. A concrete structure should not have gaps or cracks, otherwise liquid waste may seep through unsealed joints, spreading an unpleasant odor.
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Another point for receiving and partially recycling wastewater is. Effluent also flows into it by gravity, but it does not linger in a sealed tank until removal, but moves to the underlying soil, undergoing a kind of filtration along the way.
Filtration wells are constructed without a bottom in the usual sense. At its base there is a multi-layer, multi-stage natural filter made of sand and gravel of various fractions.
For the manufacture of filter structures, brickwork or concrete rings are also most often used, but their diameter is usually smaller. The design of this well is different in that it does not have a bottom. The structure itself is filled with either coarse sand or crushed stone.
The idea of such savings on cleaning a storage well is not bad if the wastewater actually undergoes high-quality filtration and does not poison the soil
Functions and features of inspection wells
In order to monitor the condition of the sewer system and promptly eliminate problems that arise in it, it is necessary. That’s why they are placed in places where system failure is most likely.
They should be present in the following places:
- where the slope of the pipeline or its diameter changes, which determines the speed of movement of wastewater and the width of the flow;
- where the flow changes its direction;
- where side branches are connected to the main pipeline;
- where it is necessary to monitor, despite the fact that there are no special preconditions for breakdowns.
Inspection structures are usually placed in a straight line, maintaining a distance of 15 meters between wells. If we are talking about a private house, then the first inspection well should be located at a distance of no less than 3 m, but no further than 12 meters from the house.
The main function of these wells is not to eliminate the blockage that has arisen, but to prevent it. When the sewer becomes clogged, backflow may occur. To prevent this from happening, experts recommend installing a check valve in the first inspection structure, which will close the outlet pipe in case of clogging.
Inspection wells are also divided into several subtypes.
Changing the direction of flow:
- Nodal. They are installed above the node, that is, in the place where the side branches are connected to the main pipeline. In this case, the structure tray cannot have more than one incoming and three outgoing pipes.
- Rotary. Such structures are located above the place where the pipeline turns. There is a rule that the rotation angle should not be less than 90 degrees.
The turn should be performed with a smooth rounding, the radius of which can be from one to five diameters of the incoming pipe.
Rotary models can be very diverse, but there is also a limitation in their design: the angle of rotation cannot be less than straight
Direct-flow structures in places where there is no change in flow direction or branches:
- Tests. These wells are installed in places where treated water is discharged into the sewer system. With their help, the quality of the cleaning performed is monitored.
- Flushing. They are placed at the beginning of the network to wash it.
- Linear. Used for periodic preventive inspection of networks and for their cleaning.
Sometimes, with the help of one structure, not one, but several problems can be solved at once. Despite the abundance of functions assigned to these structures, all inspection wells are designed approximately the same.
This means that the dimensions of the wells may not be adjusted to the parameters of an adult man. You can replace a bulky structure with a compact device up to 300 mm in diameter. Another advantage of polymer products is their low weight. The size of such a well can be precisely adjusted to the needs of a specific sewer network.
Modern ones can be classified according to different criteria. Well shafts may differ in the material from which they are made. They can be smooth, corrugated and combined.
In turn, smooth and corrugated shafts can be single-walled or double-walled. Moreover, the design of the well itself can be telescopic, that is, retractable.
Initially, polymer models were made of two parts: a neck and a tray. The tray part was equipped with a pipeline layout corresponding to the purpose of the well. Currently, trayless models are also available for direct-flow structures.
A huge advantage of polymer products is the complete waterproofing of their shaft. This gives such structures an unconditional advantage, which over time will provide them with priority in the construction products market.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
This video material clearly presents the advantages of models made from modern polymers over reinforced concrete products.
Modern plastic wells not only look more attractive than their reinforced concrete counterparts, they weigh less and are better waterproofed. The future is definitely theirs.
It is impossible to imagine the life of a civilized society without a sewer system. And without wells of various types, not a single sewer system can carry out its work. Now you have an idea of what these structures are like, how they are designed and what materials they are made from.
Today, an individual source of water is a necessary element of a private plot. Constantly rising water prices, frequent pipeline breakdowns, and the obvious feeling of chlorine and other impurities cannot please home owners. Many owners resort to drilling a well, but such an action requires significant costs and special equipment. It is more affordable to dig a well, but to do this you need to know not only the technology for constructing a water source, but also some of the standards that it must meet.
What is a mine well
In order to create a source of drinking water, the mine construction method is usually used. The essence of the method is simple: a pit is dug, the depth of which is determined by the appearance of water. Mine wells are used most often, since this method is simple and allows water supplies to be replenished naturally.
The walls of the mine are strengthened gradually, otherwise a collapse of the soil is possible, which is a direct threat to human life. The main difference between drinking wells is the material from which they are built. Another advantage of this design is that the well rarely dries out completely; this is only possible during long periods of drought.
Materials used to build a well:
- Tree. When properly processed, this material has excellent contact with a humid environment. Nowadays, a wooden frame is very expensive and building a well from it is unprofitable. The part where the wood has close contact with water is usually lined with elm or oak. For the rest of the shaft, common pine is suitable.
- Stone. Now natural stone costs several times more than wood. But, for example, in mountainous areas, this material is most popular due to the constant shortage of wood. A well built from stone has amazing durability. Before the construction of this structure, a metal frame is usually welded, and stone blocks are laid between the elements.
- Brick. Wells made of this material do not have such a long service life as structures made of stone, but they are several times cheaper. Brickwork of 1 or 1.5 bricks has a long service life. During construction, bricks are laid according to a predetermined pattern. This material also requires the creation of a metal frame. Without it, over time, water can wash away the solution and the structure will sag.
- Concrete rings. The most popular type of material. It has an ideal ratio of quality and price. Installation of concrete rings does not require much time; the availability of lifting equipment is sufficient. It is possible to install the rings manually; it is placed on the ground and dug in from all sides until the ring sag.
Features of plastic frames for drinking wells
In modern construction, practical and inexpensive plastic frames are used to create drinking wells. Installation of such structures occurs quickly, they have less weight than concrete rings, which significantly reduces transportation costs and simplifies the installation process.
The main advantages of plastic structures:
- Plastic rings are produced up to 1.5 m high. This makes the installation process simpler and faster.
- They have less mass than concrete rings, wooden frames or brickwork.
- The corrugated surface ensures a reliable connection between the rings. The rings are screwed into each other at a certain distance. For greater tightness of the system, various types of construction sealants are used.
- The service life of plastic structures is more than 50 years. These materials are not only durable, but also completely safe for humans.
- They have an affordable pricing policy.
In loose soil, conventional installation of plastic rings is not possible. First, one ring is installed, all the soil is removed from under it, and the ring is pushed further into the trench. A second ring is installed on top of the first ring and the process is repeated until the shaft is completely completed.
What sanitary standards and rules exist for drinking wells?
Every owner of a private plot should know some standards according to which the construction of a drinking well and its further operation should take place. These requirements are determined by the chief state doctor.
The main stage of the well is the place where it is to be installed. Exploratory drilling is used to select a location. Its cost is much higher than natural methods, but this method can provide almost 100% results. Exploratory drilling also provides data on the sanitary conditions of the site where the well will be located in the future.
If chemical industry facilities, plants or factories are located at a distance of 50 m from a private house, then installation of a well is prohibited. The same distance should be maintained from cesspools and toilets.
There is such a thing as source debit. It allows you to determine how many people a drinking well is designed for. Usually, owners of private houses do not pay too much attention to this condition.
Installation of the well head (the part that rises above the surface) is required. The head serves as a protective element and prevents debris and dirt from entering the water. The minimum height to which it must rise above the surface is 0.7 - 0.8 m. Installation of a roof or hatch is also required.
To protect water from the appearance of dirt and turbidity, a filter element should be made at the bottom of the drinking well. For it, an embankment of clean sand or pre-washed crushed stone is usually used. According to some regulatory documents, the height of the filter should not be less than 60 cm.
It should be remembered that every well requires cleaning. Also, sometimes it is necessary to repair the mine. For ease of descent, metal or cast iron brackets are installed in the walls of the well during construction. To prevent corrosion, they are coated with a primer.
When to clean a drinking well
Cleaning of the well is carried out depending on the contamination of the source. On average, this occurs every 1.5-2 years. There are no strictly regulated rules. The most convenient period for carrying out this event is late spring, due to the withdrawal of flood waters.
During cleaning, other operations are also carried out: sealing the seams with a special solution, strengthening the metal frame. In addition to the water intake part of the well, attention should also be paid to the base of the shaft. Dirt may form on the walls of concrete rings or brickwork, which must also be thoroughly cleaned.
After the cleaning is completed, the water intake part should be thoroughly disinfected. To do this, use various reagents that contain chlorine concentrate. After adding this substance, the well should be thoroughly rinsed. It is prohibited to drink water without flushing the well.
How to monitor the water quality of drinking wells
When the relevant authorities check the quality of water in drinking wells, the surrounding area is also subject to inspection. The main types of water quality control:
- Planned. It is carried out after a certain period of time. Includes a set of basic measures to determine the water quality of all water supply sources (wells, wells).
- Selective. It can be carried out in regions where problems with water supply systems were previously noticed.
- According to one-time applications. The initiator of such a check is the direct owner of the land plot. Performed to check the suitability of water.
Often, the first water intake may include too many harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Then a more in-depth examination of the water is carried out, which determines the cause of the deterioration of the water. All indicators are compared with the standards of the relevant instructions.
To improve water quality, the drinking well can be cleaned and subsequently disinfected. If after this the problem has not been eliminated, then the quality of the water is improved by using special preparations with a high chlorine content. If the pollution is of a chemical nature (especially pollution with aggressive substances), then a decision may be made to eliminate the source.
Choosing a suitable location
The correct location is the main indicator of the longevity of the well and the availability of water of appropriate quality. To select a location in modern construction, the exploratory drilling method is used. The advantages of this method are 100% determination of the water layer. The disadvantages include the high pricing policy of this process.
Where should not install a drinking well:
- Near cesspools, septic tanks, utility rooms. Waste can seep into the ground and subsequently into the water.
- On the slope of a river or in a ravine. The vertical direction of the well will reduce the water flow.
- Less than 5 m from the house or any outbuildings. A well located so close to the house will cause gradual leaching of soil from under the foundation. This threatens rapid subsidence of the load-bearing wall.
Also, you should not build a water source near bodies of water. This may lead to contamination of the well and harm to the user's health.
The lack of a centralized water supply system ceases to be a problem when an alternative water source is installed in a suburban area or simply in a place remote from the city. There are various types of wells, and the owners of the territory themselves choose what is more suitable: a small, beautifully decorated log house or a deep well with modern equipment. Let us consider in more detail the design features and stages of construction of structures of various types.
In summer cottages there are rarely bodies of water that meet sanitary standards. Most often, if high aquifers allow, a pond is dug out, which is actively used for watering the garden plot, household needs, and swimming. However, a pond, like any other open water body, is not suitable as a source of drinking water. Natural springs or springs gushing out of the ground can be found extremely rarely, usually over a large area on country estates. A standard summer cottage site is usually devoid of any natural body of water.
Modern well in the country as a decorative element
To provide a separately located area with the necessary amount of water, wells of various types are installed. The choice depends on many factors, including:
- location of groundwater;
- the volume of water required for a comfortable life;
- availability of materials necessary for construction (financial capabilities);
- possibility of installing pumping equipment, etc.
The decisive factor for dividing all types of structures into two large categories is the depth of groundwater. If they are located shallowly, then it is enough to dig a pit mechanically or manually, strengthen its walls, and refine the head. The result will be a shaft-type device - one of those that our ancestors have used since time immemorial. Of course, building materials have become more durable and wear-resistant, wood has been replaced by monolithic concrete blocks and “eternal” plastic, but the principle of the device has remained virtually unchanged.
Choosing a well depending on the location of the aquifers
The deeper occurrence of aquifers does not allow the construction of a conventional pit; drilling a well using special equipment will be required. This process is quite expensive, sometimes time-consuming, but the volume of water extracted from an artesian well is much larger, and the quality of the liquid is much higher. Independent drilling rarely leads to a positive result, since a necessary step is a preliminary study of the soil, and this is done by geological research companies. You can make a well with your own hands to a depth of 15-20 m if you have a mobile drilling rig. And now in more detail about the different types of water wells.
Mine wells: choosing material for construction
All mine-type structures are united by the same design - an elongated pit 5-15 m deep with reinforced walls and a neatly designed head. The differences relate to the nuances of construction, material, and method of water extraction. The advantages of a well shaft are constant access to a certain amount of drinking or technical liquid, the reserves of which are preserved and replenished naturally over time. Complete drainage of the reservoir occurs only in rare cases, for example during an extremely dry period.
Types of mine wells depending on depth
Wooden log house
Wood has been used for a long time, as it tolerates moisture well and is easy to process. A structure resembling a log house is made from logs or thick boards (from 150 mm and thicker). The elements are attached to each other in various ways, for example, “in the paw”. Not all breeds are suitable. The lower part in contact with water is assembled from elm, alder or oak. To ensure that the water remains clear and does not have a bitter taste, the oak is pre-stained. Cheaper pine is suitable for making the top and head.
Scheme of a wooden shaft well
It is irrational to dig pits of less than 5 meters: they collect only surface water horizons that contain many impurities and, therefore, are not suitable for drinking. The soil layers lie at a depth of 10-15 m; this is exactly the height that a kind of “log house” should turn out to be. Assembly is carried out in fragments, which are lowered one by one, hammering with a sledgehammer, to the bottom. The role of a bottom filter is played by a sand and pebble cushion. The upper part is protected from high water with a clay castle 1-1.5 m wide.
Masonry
It is customary to lay stone mines in areas where wood is in short supply. Most often they can be found in mountainous and foothill areas with poor vegetation, but a large amount of granite or dolomite deposits. Stone masonry is also used for decorative purposes, but the beautiful cylindrical shape made of colored rocks takes a lot of time and effort, and is not highly functional, since the stone is recommended to be used only for shallow pits.
Nowadays stone is more often used to decorate the above-ground part - the head
To ensure the stability of the structure, a metal frame is initially welded to a stable base placed on the bottom. Reinforcement, wire, and metal rings create a kind of stiffening ribs between which the masonry is placed. A composition of dolomite, rubble, granite stone, impermeable to water, is bonded with sand-cement mortar. Limestone or sandstone are not suitable due to their porous structure and water permeability.
Brick mine
Despite the difference in the material of manufacture, the construction of different types of wells has much in common. For example, if you replace stone with brick, the difference will be small. The main structural difference is the arrangement of bricks, which are laid according to a certain pattern, while the stones are in a chaotic order. To create reliable walls, masonry is made one or one and a half bricks wide. The rounded shape is given using a special stabilizing profile.
Brick well shaft
Without a frame, which forms a kind of “skeleton” of a well structure, stone and brickwork cannot exist for long. Despite the strength of the Portland cement that holds the individual elements together, over time, underground currents wash away the solution, and the structure may crumble. The support frame is welded from a metal profile, pieces of reinforcement, or assembled from waterproof wood. The minimum thickness of the base is 100 mm.
Factory-made concrete rings are popular among summer residents due to their low cost. The process of installing them takes much less time than laying a brick wall or installing a wooden frame. Convenient dimensions (diameter from 0.8 m to 1.5 m, height from 0.7 m to 0.9 m) allow you to assemble a structure of the required depth. The elements are connected end-to-end using special brackets and bolts, and the cracks between them are filled with cement mortar to ensure complete sealing. Sometimes, for strength, joints are connected with 6-centimeter steel strips and staples (3-4 pieces around the circumference).
Installation of concrete rings
The shaft is dug gradually so that the first ring goes down, the second is installed on top of it - and so on until the full depth. A sand cushion 0.3 m thick is formed at the bottom, covered with a layer of crushed stone. The upper part is reinforced with a clay castle. It is not needed if there are stones, peat or dense sand directly under the fertile soil layer. The first few portions of liquid must be pumped out, and the subsequent ones are initially best used for household needs.
Video: The process of lowering concrete rings into a finished shaft
Prefabricated plastic frame
Modified polymers are actively used for the production of prefabricated well structures and other equipment located underground and in contact with a moist environment. They are not yet as popular as their concrete counterparts, but the advantages of alternative rings are obvious:
- the maximum height of an individual part is 1.5 m, which increases the speed of construction and improves the tightness of the shaft;
- the mass of plastic elements is much lighter than concrete, brick or wood;
- the threaded connection ensures water tightness over the entire area of the walls;
- working pressure – up to 50 kPa;
- cost – from 11 thousand rubles. for the ring.
Polymer pipes for wells
Rings are installed in two ways. On dense, stable soils, first dig out the shaft, then lower and screw together the rings one by one, coating the joints with sealant. If the soil is loose, dig a small pit, insert the first element, and then take out the earth from under it and lift it up. Then it is pushed down, the second element is mounted on top - and so on until the end. Polymer structures last more than 50 years.
Borehole water supply for a suburban area
Shafts with a depth of more than 20 m are called pipe (tubular) or artesian. If underground aquifers lie very deep, it is necessary to drill wells up to 200 m, but most often this happens for industrial purposes. The quality of the liquid in artesian springs is much higher than that of a well: it practically does not contain nitrates, salts of harmful metals, or pathogenic bacteria that enter wells from the perched water. The only disadvantage of well equipment is the high cost.
Shallow well (for sand)
Sand wells are the most acceptable way to provide a country house with the best quality water. Their depth ranges from 15 m to 35 m (less often 45 m), and the water consumption is on average 0.8-2.2 m³/h. Drilling must be carried out by specialists, since it is necessary to detect underground horizons of aquifer sand and correctly install the filter. The drilling process lasts 2-3 days, then it is necessary to line the shaft with pipes made of steel or propylene. The lower part of the equipment is equipped with a sand filter or a more powerful filter column.
Sand well construction diagram
The productivity of the structure is enough to provide water to a family of 3-4 people. The quality of the liquid is not as ideal as that of an artesian, but much higher than that of a well, since the ingress of surface water is excluded. If you install a centrifugal pump and automatic equipment, the sand well will function uninterruptedly throughout the year. Drilling is possible using a compact drilling rig; a license and a package of permits are not required.
deep well
The depth of an artesian well is from 30 m or more, in suburban areas the maximum does not exceed 200 m. A package of permits is required for its installation. Drilling must be done by specialists, as you will need heavy construction equipment (ZIL, KamAZ) and a powerful rotary unit. The drilling process involves breaking up hard rock, removing it from the mine, and installing casing pipes. The maximum number of casing pipes for one structure is 3 pieces; such a prefabricated structure is called telescopic. Welding has recently been used extremely rarely; the main method of connecting elements is threaded. The lower water layers are isolated from the upper ones using a special material - compactonite, granulated dry clay.
Artesian well with double casing
After installing the pipes, experimental flushing is required until clean water is obtained. Samples are taken for analysis to give permission to use water as drinking water. The owner is issued a passport, which indicates the technical data of the structure and terms of use.
Features of the Abyssinian well design
When there is no need to equip a powerful well, you can make an autonomous Abyssinian well. Its installation does not require long digging or heavy equipment. The technology consists of installing a pipe of minimum diameter (up to 4 cm) to the depth of the upper aquifer. The lower part of the pipe is equipped with a filter that protects it from contamination. The water supply to the top is provided by a self-priming pump. To make the pipe easier to sink into the ground, it is equipped with a conical tip, the diameter of which is 4-5 cm wider than the diameter of the pipe.
Comparative diagram of a tube well and an Abyssinian well
The above-ground part is decorated or ennobled with a small structure, such as a gazebo. Any convenient place for installation is suitable, but it is necessary to avoid areas close to septic tanks, drainage collectors, and sewers.
Video: comparative characteristics of a well and an Abyssinian well
Having figured out what types of water wells there are, it is easy to choose a structure that is optimally suited for a specific suburban area. But keep in mind that it is prohibited to build deep structures without permits.