Chapter 9 - Utilization and regulation of springs

Abstract

Natural drainage of aquifers through springs can meet water demands on a wide scale: from the supply of large cities at the regional level, to the supply of just one or several households. Although the latter is not a big problem in terms of amount of water, for the big consumer, a very large aquifer and spring discharge are required. In the developing world, it is very difficult, sometimes even impossible, to meet increased demands and provide sufficient water to the population. In fact, population growth is the main reason why many previously utilized small springs are now abandoned. Orientation toward more abundant water resources, such as alluvial aquifers, river water, or water from newly constructed reservoirs, is a common trend. If the spring's catchment is effectively protected from pollution, the quality of discharged groundwater is usually high. Irrigation by springwater has a very long tradition in arid and semiarid regions, as does the utilization of springs for drinking purposes. Good-quality springwater provides security for animal health and growth. Therefore, in a rural environment, it is common to see large numbers of animals occupying the springs or the ponds and swamps formed nearby. The design of water treatment facilities depends on the quality of raw water. A water treatment plant can be very large and the applied treatment technologies very complex if the water quality is unsatisfactory or variable throughout the year. Regulation of a spring implies different engineering interventions aimed at controlling its flow and managing its water distribution.