Having a natural spring on your property is the best survival resource you could ever ask for. A natural spring gives you access to a neverending supply of pure drinking water. This is something most survivalists would dream of.
But what if the spring isn’t flowing correctly? Is there anything that can be done to make a natural spring flow better?
The best way to improve the flow of a natural spring is to contact your local well driller and follow their recommendations. You could create a larger opening in the shale where the water is seeping through to improve flow-rate, but it could possibly degrade your spring and its water quality as well.
Continue reading to learn more about the process of making a natural spring flow better.
Natural Spring Locations
Finding a natural spring is the easy part, however, the strategy behind developing a spring that yields the best water flow, is an art form. Having the right knowledge about underground water outlets and the tools to achieve a steady flow will make this venture a successful one.
Your chances of finding a natural spring are higher when searching on hilly terrain when the weather is dry. A spring can be spotted in wet areas that have naturally formed a stream. Concentrated springs are easier to develop as you can see the water bubbling up and being forced through the bedrock.
Harvesting a Natural Spring
If you plan to use the natural spring as your primary source of water, it’s vital to ensure the pace of the flow is stable throughout the yearly seasons. For livestock benefits, a good water distribution can vastly improve their health and grazing. Be suspicious of any fluctuating spring flows as this could be a sign of contamination or just an unreliable water source altogether.
Nature has done its part as underground water is already purified and won’t require filtration. It is a clean free source of water that won’t freeze and does not require a pump or electricity. Your approach to harvesting spring water is what’s most important as it can significantly impact the quality and output of your spring.
To achieve the best spring flow you must locate an elevation point where gravity will naturally force the stream out, use the proper channel materials to encourage the flow, and be consistent in your maintenance plan to remove debris and contaminants from your water flow.
Enhancing Your Spring Flow
Here are seven comprehensive tips to support a better spring flow:
1. Find a Natural Spring
When searching for a spring, ensure its location has a natural slope. Gravity will naturally create a trail for the water to flow through. This will give you leverage not only in diverting the flow in the direction you want it to go, but also making your flow better and faster. Depending on your location, the higher the elevation the greater the ability to gravity feed the water towards your home.
2. Excavate
Begin digging upslope on the hill until two to three feet of water start to flow out. How deep you dig will be contingent on the size of the water channeling device of your choice.
3. Improve Water Flow
Do not dig forcefully as you can hinder the flow and potentially lose it all together. Remove any soggy soil or debris from the stream as that will encourage a better flow.
4. Channel the Water
Plastic pipes are typically used to aid in the flow of the Spring. Carefully place the device deep into the water source and use rocks or clay to secure the pipe in place. An additional pipe can be installed above to catch any overflow resulting in a better flow with no disruption.
Use gravel to pave the path for the spring, however, the gravel should be rinsed prior to use to remove all dust. Gravel will create the path of least resistance for your spring and prevent any backup in the collection system.
If the intent is to use this as a primary source of water for your home, you will need a pumping system. This will help with accessing all user areas inside your home.
5. Collect the Water
Spring boxes collect water and help in the prevention of water contamination. Made from durable material like brick or cement, these spring boxes can also be installed to direct water to pipes that are directly connected to storage tanks and even community taps.
If the spring is being pumped directly into your home, a filtration and purification system is needed. A water softening system can be installed based on preference, but not required.
6. Protect Your Spring
Protecting your spring is a cheaper alternative than having to dig a well. Springs can become susceptible to contamination in the woods as they can attract animals, insects, and other surface-level waste.
Secure the outer perimeter of the spring with a fence and dig a ditch at the end of the stream. This ditch will be your drainage point where the waste will naturally flow into. Planting trees will also prevent erosion and make the environment aesthetically pleasing.
7. Perform Regular Maintenance On Your Natural Spring
The pipes and spring boxes in your water collection system will have to be cleaned regularly. Because of the terrain in which springs are located, leaves can accumulate in the pipes and even dead animals can cause blockage.
A wire netting can be placed over the pipes to prevent larger contaminants from flowing through. Keep an eye out for surface-level water that may also cross-contaminate your spring with sediment.
Important Factors to Consider
If tapped correctly and cautiously, the risk of contamination remains low. Here are some factors to consider that may put the quality of your water and your health at risk.
- There are several types of water reservoirs you can opt to use outside of a spring box. Choosing an open tank can potentially give access to rodents and other animals and increase the risk of contamination. If an open tank is the route you choose, you will benefit from installing a filtration and purification system before consuming any water.
- Do your research and inspect your spring’s location. Toxins can be found in the soil due to neighboring waste facilities that have contaminated the underground water.
- Because springs are considered wetlands, it’s important to reach out to the Natural Resources Conservation agency to ensure you are not in violation of any regulations when you are developing your spring.
