Types of wells and water supply systems and what to watch out for with each
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.
This article describes Use of Springs for Drinking Water. We provide advice about what to do when things go wrong.
Readers of this document should also see Water Tank Types and before assuming that a water problem is due to the
well itself, see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost.
Open water springs, and similar containers have been used for centuries to
supply water to buildings.
If the water tank is located higher than the building it serves
the water supply can be fed by gravity.
If the open water tank is in the building or below it
the water may be moved to the point of use by a hand pump or an electrical pump.
In the page top photograph my client and we had found the water supply for his home: a spring-fed
in-ground cistern located uphill from the house and fed to the house by gravity.
What's Wrong Using a Spring to Supply Drinking Water to a Building?
Spring water can be delicious and clean if it is in a protected location. But most residential springs serving homes are not so carefully designed.
Springs and cisterns that are open to groundwater runoff like these are unlikely to
provide sanitary drinking water since they are easily contaminated by surface runoff. Where building security and personal security are a special concern, the water source needs to be protected from tampering; in these cases a spring could be deliberately contaminated or poisoned.
In the pictures of springs used as a home water supply shown above, the cover is unsafe or missing completely, and the springs remain vulnerable to surface contaminants such as animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, or other surface chemicals. Even if a water spring passes a bacterial test we have these remaining concerns:
Other chemicals or contaminants may be present
The spring is so easily contaminated from surface water that we can't be sure that it will remain as a sanitary water source.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
General water testing and corrective measure advice: contact your local health department.
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map
