4.5 Springs A spring is a place where water wells up out of the ground from an aquifer. Normally, if the water is being collected for drinking, a chamber is placed around the point where the water reaches the surface to protect it against surface contamination. Because the water is at the surface or drawn from near the surface it is easily contaminated, both by infiltration into the ground, and at the spring outlet (Figure 7). Figure 7: Contamination of spring water Operating targets The of treatment required for spring water depends on the risks associated with the spring. Spring water is normally considered to be at risk from pathogens, and spring structures need to be operated and maintained to prevent contamination. Chemicals in spring water are generally similar to those found in groundwater but less likely to be present. Operating targets will depend on the spring design and the nature of the aquifer. Water quality records Keep a record of: performance against resource consent limits for example, abstraction flow rate and – volume spring water quality including: turbidity E. coli chemical contaminants. Inspection (and recording) Check the structure at appropriate intervals for: water flow (water should flow freely to prevent it finding another way out of the aquifer) accumulation of debris seepage and bypassing of water valve or penstock operation (they can seize with disuse) corrosion of steelwork cracks in any concrete structures and erosion underneath them integrity of fencing (preventing animal access) effectiveness of land drainage (should be directing surface away from the spring site to prevent contamination).
4.5 Springs A spring is a place where water wells up out of the ground from an aquifer. Normally, if the water is being collected for drinking, a chamber is placed around the point where the water reaches the surface to protect it against surface contamination. Because the water is at the surface or drawn from near the surface it is easily contaminated, both by infiltration into the ground, and at the spring outlet (Figure 7). Figure 7: Contamination of spring water Operating targets The of treatment required for spring water depends on the risks associated with the spring. Spring water is normally considered to be at risk from pathogens, and spring structures need to be operated and maintained to prevent contamination. Chemicals in spring water are generally similar to those found in groundwater but less likely to be present. Operating targets will depend on the spring design and the nature of the aquifer. Water quality records Keep a record of: performance against resource consent limits – for example, abstraction flow rate and volume spring water quality including: turbidity E. coli chemical contaminants. Inspection (and recording) Check the structure at appropriate intervals for: water flow (water should flow freely to prevent it finding another way out of the aquifer) accumulation of debris seepage and bypassing of water valve or penstock operation (they can seize with disuse) corrosion of steelwork cracks in any concrete structures and erosion underneath them integrity of fencing (preventing animal access) effectiveness of land drainage (should be directing surface away from the spring site to prevent contamination).