Self-supply, where households invest to develop their own easily-accessible water supplies, is identified as an alternative service delivery model that is potentially complementary to more highly subsidised community-level provision. The approach is widespread in Ethiopia with family wells bringing additional benefits that are in line with wider government objectives, such as supporting small-scale irrigation. However, two recent studies show the current performance of traditional or family wells to be far below potential with most sources providing unsafe water in the absence of adequate protection.
BUTTERWORTH, J. ; SUTTON, S. ; MEKONTA, L. (2013): Self-Supply as a Complementary Water Services Delivery Model in Ethiopia. In: Water Alternatives: Volume 6 , 405-423. URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFLibrary
This technical note discusses the construction of spring boxes and collection systems, and outlines further construction steps.
WFTW (n.y): Constructing Structures for Springs. Technical Note No. RWS. 1.C.1.. Washington, D.C.: Water for the World (WFTW), U.S. Agency for International Development URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThis report by UNEP provides an overview of current major water quality contaminants and the human activities that affect water quality. It details the impacts that poor water quality has on the environment, human health, and vulnerable communities, and quantifies the economic costs of poor water quality. Il also offers insights into specific solutions available to address water quality problems.
UNEP (2010): Clearing the Waters. A Focus on Water Quality Solutions. Oakland: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFHand dug wells may need repairing, cleaning and disinfecting after inundation by flood- or seawater or after long periods of insufficient maintenance. This Technical Brief elaborates on the process of repairing; cleaning and disinfecting hand dug wells and also discusses the OXFAM kits, which can be used for this purpose.
OXFAM (n.y): Repairing, Cleaning and Disinfection Hand Dug Wells. OXFAM Technical Briefs. Washington D.C.: Oxfam International Advocacy URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThis technical note describes the planning needed to use surface water (as well as spring water) sources in terms of various planning steps: recognising the problem, organising community support, setting objectives, etc.
WFTW (n.y): Planning How to Use Sources of Surface Water. Technical Note No. RWS. 1.P.1. Washington, D.C: Water for the World (WFTW), U.S. Agency for International Development URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThis well-illustrated publication provides information on most aspects of well management: basics of groundwater hydrology, water well development (including planning, design, construction, management and maintenance), and well protection are introduced in very clear language and by means of nice graphs and illustrations.
MANCE, E. (n.y): A Landowner’s Guide to Water Wall Management. Ottawa: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThe Ministry of Local Government and Housing, in consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, has formulated National Guidelines to improve the utilisation of water resources on a sustainable basis through effective O&M. These guidelines are based on the experiences of implementation of rural water supply projects in Zambia.
MLGH (2007): Zambia - National Guidelines for Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Hand Pumps in Rural Areas. Zambia: Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThis field manual brings together knowledge of the technique of upgrading simple shallow wells. The simple technique of upgrading simple shallow wells has been investigated and tested by staff of the Blair Research Laboratory and subsequently by staff of the Mvuramanzi Trust for many years. It is now well established in many areas of Zimbabwe.
MORGAN, P. (1995): Upgraded Well Manual for Field Workers. Harare: Mvuramanzi Trust URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFAkvopedia is an open water and sanitation resource. Although the focus is more on sanitation, the water portal section provides many factsheets on different pumping methods and power sources.
The construction of a spring box is both complex and costly. However, it may not be necessary at all. This short publication suggests an alternative construction to a conventional spring box.
SKINNER, B. SHAW, R. (n.y): Protecting Springs – An Alternative to Spring Boxes. (= Running Water , 34 ). Leicestershire: Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), Loughborough University URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThe Water Handbook is the result of wide collaboration within UNICEF. It provides a broad overview of state-of-the-art programming for water management, protection and supply.
UNICEF (1999): A Water Handbook. (= Water, Environment and Sanitation Technical Guidelines , 2 ). New York: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) URL [Accessed: 08.03.2019] PDFThe Rural Water Supply Network is a global knowledge network for rural water supply technologies and approaches. The website provides many excellent publications on various topics on rural development, particularly on hand pumping technologies. This section presents an overview of the different manual pumps for drinking water.
This workbook, compiled by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Government of Alberta, contains 12 modules helping you to ensure long-term operability of your well. Regarding well protection, particularly modules 6, 8, 9 and 10 are of interest.