Operating principle and design of a sewer well

GidroStroy » Blog » Operational requirements for the working part of the well

The design of the working part of the well is intended for carrying out repair, cleaning and various technical work. To do this, the worker must go down into the well shaft, which is located below the soil surface.

The arrangement of this structure involves digging pits, the depth of which depends on the type of structure.

There are different types of sewer chambers, the choice of which depends on their purpose.

When constructing a well for wastewater, you will need to install a special tank, which is large in size, suitable for human growth.

All sewage must flow into a special chamber of the sewer well, for which a pipeline is connected to the working part. Any type of structure installed on a wastewater route provides the following schematic diagram:

1. The bottom, which is the lower part of the working chamber, where the direct treatment of sewage occurs.
2. A shaft or cavity for carrying out inspection or repair work inside the chamber, providing a ladder or walking brackets for lowering and lifting.
3. The neck required to enter the working part, which has a cover with a hole for the hatch.
4. The working part, which is a space inside the well intended for the accumulation of wastewater that requires periodic pumping along with sewage.
5. A hatch is an element of the well cover or a closing link in the system, which helps prevent precipitation, debris and foreign objects from entering the working chamber.

Construction of a well requires digging pits or drilling wells, since the working part must be underground.

For the arrangement of waste chambers or the working part, the same materials are used as for the installation of other types of tanks for sewer systems:

• concrete;
• brick;
• plastic, etc.

According to regulatory documents, the diameter of the well neck is 700 mm. To move from it to the working chamber, it is necessary to install a conical part or a reinforced concrete floor slab.

If the structures are located at a distance of 300-500 m, then the size of the neck should be sufficient to lower various cleaning devices into the chamber.

The hatches provided in the lid to close the neck can be light or heavy. The latter are more often installed on roadways where the road surface is of the highest quality. The requirements for the location of the hatch, according to regulatory documents, are as follows:

• in green areas - 50-70 mm above the soil level;
• in undeveloped areas - 200 mm above the soil level.

In areas without a road surface, a blind area around the hatch is required. This will ensure water drainage.

Classification of sewer wells

The design of the working part depends on the type of well. The following classification of these structures is provided depending on the purpose of the structure:

1. Auditing.
2. Straight-through.
3. Drops.
4. Filtration.
5. Cumulative.

The working part of the direct-flow well, together with the camera, is provided to monitor the condition of the entire sewer system. When changing the diameter of the pipes, linear working chambers are installed, which can be of different shapes:

• rectangular;
• round;
• polygonal, etc.

For working parts having a round shape with a diameter of 1500 and 2000 mm, the neck diameter is designed to be 700 mm.

The increased cross-section of the upper part of the well allows you to lower and raise devices used for cleaning sewer networks.

The enlarged neck provided for a round sewer well can have a diameter of 1000 mm, and for a rectangular one with a width of 1000 mm, it is equal to the smaller side of the working part of the structure.

Well inspection structures are standardized structures. Small wells are designed for pipes with a diameter of up to 600 mm. Large designs are suitable for pipes with a diameter greater than 600 mm. There are inspection structures with a round or rectangular working part.

For intra-block sewer networks with a pipe diameter of 150 mm, a working part diameter of 700 mm is provided with a laying depth of 1.2 m.

Inspection structures installed for yard and intra-block sewers, with a pipe diameter of less than 250 mm and a working part depth of less than 2 m, must have a diameter of 700 mm.

Inspection wells that are mounted at the turns of the pipeline are called rotary, and those located on the side branches connected to them are called nodal. These structures are similar to linear ones, but the diameters of their working parts are determined depending on the presence of curvilinear turns inside the mine.

How to dig a well: choose a place in the country and do it yourself

Being the owner of your own country plot and not having your own well is probably not the most successful option. Yes, of course, some holiday villages are equipped with a centralized water supply system, but it’s still better to be completely independent from the “whims” of public utilities. The well will become a source of clean drinking water, satisfy all household needs, and provide watering for the garden plot, but only if it is equipped correctly.

How to dig a well

How to dig a well on your property? The easiest way is, of course, to invite a team of specialists, although this will be quite expensive. Of course, if you want to try your hand at this difficult task, you need to select diligent assistants, prepare tools, equipment and the necessary materials, and dare. However, you should warn us right away - digging wells is a job of increased complexity and danger, and you need to very soberly assess your real capabilities.

However, if such work quite reasonably seems beyond your capabilities, then you still need to know its theoretical basics, at least in order to imagine the sequence of operations and their labor intensity - it will be possible to more substantively control the work of the hired team.

So, the entire process of arranging a well “from scratch” can be divided into several main stages:

• choosing a suitable location;
• excavation and installation work;
• waterproofing of the well shaft;
• installation of a bottom filter;
• arrangement of the upper part of the well;
• if necessary, then decorative design.

Where to dig a well?

They say that, by and large, in central Russia you can dig a well anywhere - sooner or later you will end up in an aquifer. However, why dig where the work will require maximum labor costs with minimal returns? There are proven ways to find the most favorable location for this water source.

Approximate location of groundwater

First of all, you need to understand what groundwater is:

• At a shallow depth (up to 4 meters) from the soil surface, surface water layers can lie - they are called perched water. They are not stable in nature, highly dependent on the season and amount of precipitation, are quite heavily polluted with organic matter or chemicals from the fields and are not considered as a source of water.
• The next layer is groundwater, located at depths of about 10 meters and below. This horizon is already quite stable, the water in it has undergone deeper filtration, and it is this layer that is relied upon when digging wells. The water here is in a free-pressure state, that is, the level should remain approximately at the same level, with certain seasonal fluctuations.
• Even deeper, at a depth of several tens of meters, there are interstratal or artesian water horizons. It is on them that the “sight” is made when drilling water-bearing wells.

And this is the basic diagram of the well.
So, the goal of the search is to find the place where the second aquifer of groundwater is closest to the soil surface. How to do it?

First of all, from the search area it is necessary to exclude places located near cesspools or silos, latrines, septic tanks, and garbage dumps. Ideally, such sources of pollution should be at least 50 meters away. In addition, the well should not be closer than 5 meters from permanent buildings.

The most accurate result will, of course, be given by exploratory drilling.

The most accurate, of course, is the exploratory drilling method, but this is a rather complicated procedure that requires a lot of effort or material resources. You can try to determine the location for the well in other ways, which have been widely used for a long time.

Typically, the search for aquifers is carried out early in the morning, from 5 to 6 o'clock, or in the evening and night hours - from 6 to 7, from 10 to 11, or from midnight to one in the morning.

• The first thing you should pay attention to is the lowlands, places with an increased amount of morning dew, those areas where denser fog collects or rises in a column.
• For a long time, “dowsing” was used for these purposes - experienced folk craftsmen accurately indicated the place to dig a well, walking around the area with a slingshot made of long willow branches. It was held vertically in the hands, and in the place of maximum contact of the water layer, the “dowser” felt the attraction of the common trunk of the slingshot to the ground.

For a long time, dowsing has been used to find optimal places.
Is it possible to try this method yourself? It’s doubtful, probably, but there must be appropriate skill and experience in this matter.

This method of dowsing can be used in a slightly different way. Two identical L-shaped frames are made from metal wire (for example, welding electrodes). Holding them loosely in the fists of both hands by the short shoulder, they slowly walk around the area. In places where water is close, the frames should begin to rotate and cross.

Video: dowsing a site for a well using frames

Some people with a developed sense of dowsing engage in such a search even on an almost professional basis, showing the exact location of the place for the well.

A tool for dowsing specialists

• Trees, shrubs, and herbs can tell you a lot. For example, willows, birches, alders, and among herbs - sedge and coltsfoot will definitely tell you that the aquifer is shallow. Other trees (pine, for example), on the contrary, indicate that the water is not close. Plant species can even suggest the approximate depth of the aquifer:

What plants can tell you

• You can observe other signs as well. For example, on a summer day, a flock of mosquitoes or midges usually hover over places that are promising for a well. Domestic animals also sense the proximity of water - dogs, for example, can dig a small hole-den in these places during the hot season for daytime rest.
• The most promising places can also be checked using the moisture absorption method. To do this, take a material that has increased moisture absorption - for example, silica gel, or crushed red brick. This adsorbent is thoroughly dried in the oven and filled into a dry, unglazed clay vessel. All this is wrapped in non-woven material and weighed literally down to the gram. Then the filled and wrapped vessel is buried in the place to be checked to a depth of about half a meter for a day. (the test is carried out only in clear weather, in dry soil). You can check at several points at once. After a day, weigh the vessels and determine how much water was absorbed by the adsorbent. The optimal place for a well will be where the most moisture is collected.

The location is selected taking into account all possible criteria and the results of several tests. As a rule, the totality of the data obtained should indicate the most suitable point for further work.

What you need for work

If you have decided on a location, you need to set a time for further work. There is a widespread belief that the optimal time is winter - groundwater is “at rest” at its lowest point. However, it is sometimes difficult to agree with this, since it is very difficult and quite dangerous to carry out excavation work in winter, especially in conditions of high humidity and constant flow of water at the final stage. In addition, it will be very difficult to work in warm clothes in a cramped well shaft. True, when digging deep wells (about 10 - 15 meters), air flows into them more easily in winter, but in summer this can be a problem. But still, for medium-depth wells, the optimal time for digging seems to be the end of summer and the beginning of autumn - before the onset of the rainy season.

Tools and accessories for work

Tools you will need:

- shovels, bayonet and shovel with shortened handles;

— a crowbar and a pick for digging through dense layers of soil;

— buckets for lifting the selected soil and a wheelbarrow for transporting it to the side;

— ropes for lifting buckets, slings for hanging and installing reinforced concrete rings;

— a tripod installed above the shaft, with a lifting mechanism attached to it (well gate, pulley block, winch, hoists, etc.)

— plumb lines and building level for careful control of vertical penetration;

- protective equipment and insurance - helmet, safety belt with line;

— a drainage pump will be required to pump out the incoming water;

— materials and tools for carrying out waterproofing work.

Most modern wells are made of reinforced concrete rings. It is best to purchase products that have a “quarter” locking part for a centered and tight fit of the rings to each other. The standard ring size is 1000 mm - internal diameter, 1160 - external, wall thickness - 80 mm, maximum height - 900 mm. Such a product (KS-10-9) weighs 600 kg. If necessary, you can purchase rings of the same diameter, but of a smaller height - 300, 500 or 600 mm. On the walls of such rings there are holes for inserting slings when hanging and lowering them into the shaft.

Well rings of various heights

You should immediately warn against purchasing low-quality, illicit rings that are damaged or have already been used. Such savings here are not only inappropriate, but can also be dangerous, since the practice of arranging wells knows many cases of rupture, distortion, and bursting of rings with all possible consequences.

How many rings are needed is an individual question for each specific place. It is worth finding out from your neighbors how deep their well is; this figure should not change much. At the same time, the structure of the well itself is taken into account - the height of the water-bearing part itself, the trunk and the head.

Wells can vary in height depending on their design

Digging a well and installing rings

• Work begins with markings on the soil surface. For these purposes, as well as to control compliance with the dimensions of future penetration, you need to build a simple device - a cross of two slats, with a length equal to the required diameter of the shaft.

Crosspiece - template for further work
If the ring has an outer diameter of 1160, then the shaft should be marked approximately 200 - 300 mm wider, i.e. Ø from 1350 to 1450 mm with the open method of constructing a well (more on this below). With the closed method, the minimum required gap is left - so that the ring fits into the shaft without distortion.

• Remove the top layer of soil from the turf and begin to delve into the dense layers of soil.

The top turf layer is removed.
All selected soil must be at least 3 meters from the work site at a distance of at least 3 meters from the pit. You can even immediately take it away, for example, to a place where it is planned to build an “alpine slide”. When the clay layer begins, it is better to store the selected clay separately - it will be useful in the future for waterproofing the well.

The diameter of the penetration and its verticality are constantly monitored

• After going deep to the height of the first ring, install a tripod or other structure on which lifting mechanisms are mounted, and further work can be planned in different ways:

The recess for the first ring is ready
1. You can install the first ring exactly and continue digging under it - it will sink under its own weight.

Installation of reinforced concrete ring

As the settlement progresses, the next ring is installed on the first one, and they are fastened together with brackets - and so on until the aquifer. This method is called “closed”, and is more relevant on problematic, shifting soils, with quicksand, underground “rivers”, etc. Thus, the excavator always works in a concrete ring, which lowers with him as the soil is removed.

The subsidence of the entire well trunk occurs as soil is removed

This method is not considered optimal, as it has many disadvantages. Thus, a big problem during excavation can be a large boulder caught under the wall of the ring - removing it will not be easy, and sometimes even impossible. But on the other hand, installation of subsequent rings does not require complex lifting equipment, since it is always carried out at the top.

2. The second method is called “open” and involves digging a shaft to the entire required depth and then installing rings. Disadvantages - a much larger volume of selected soil, difficulties with installing and fastening the rings (the work is carried out at a considerable depth), there is always a danger of shedding or even collapse of the mine walls, especially when unstable aquifers begin or quicksand breaks through the wall - the source of “overwater” .

Open pit well shaft

3. Based on the above, the optimal method will probably be a mixed method. Initially, the work is carried out using the open method, but until the first sign of instability of the walls or the appearance of signs of perched water. Then reinforced concrete rings are immediately lowered to the excavated depth, and further soil excavation is carried out using a closed technology, with the deposition of an extendable well shaft. This is the approach most often used in practice.

• The work becomes more complicated once the aquifer is reached - according to the rules, it is necessary to settle the trunk on at least one more, and better yet, two more rings. Often it is necessary to ensure constant pumping of incoming water. Before entering this layer, the joints of the lower rings must immediately be sealed with special cement-containing compounds.

Joints of rings and mounting holes must be sealed with a special solution

• The well shaft is extended in such a way that the upper ring protrudes approximately 500 mm above ground level. In the future, this head can be formed by a frame or in another way; a crank mechanism is installed above it to lift the bucket.

Video: methods of digging wells from reinforced concrete rings

After completely tearing off the well along its entire depth, it is necessary to pump out all the water and silt from it in order to install a bottom filter.

Well bottom filter

Without this element, the water in the well will not have the purity that the owner probably expects. The springs gushing at the bottom of the well can raise turbidity, sand, and in the case of quicksand (extremely saturated with water flowing sand) it will simply become overgrown and shallow very quickly.

The choice of bottom filter depends on the condition of the bottom - what kind of soil forms it:

• If the bottom is dense clay through which springs flow, then, as a rule, the water will be clean, and there is not even a need for a bottom filter. Moreover, its installation can even reduce the debit of the well. Light turbidity, if any, can be easily eliminated with a regular household filtration system.
• If the bottom is formed by soft clay, then it will be constantly eroded by streams of incoming water. The water becomes excessively cloudy and can only be collected from the top layer. To eliminate this drawback, you will need a direct bottom filter.

To do this, large stones or crushed stones are placed on the bottom, with a maximum size of up to 150 - 200 mm. Then a layer of medium-sized gravel (fraction 20-30 mm), up to 150 mm thick, is poured. And a final layer of clean river pebbles, also up to 150 mm thick, is laid on top. The total thickness of the resulting filter reaches half a meter.

Such crushed stone is quite suitable for a bottom filter

• The sandy bottom through which water seeps in poses another danger. Any impact on it (for example, a lowered bucket) causes a rise in the sand mass, which rises to the top along with the water. It is impossible to install pumping equipment in such a well - sand will quickly disable it. However, everything can be solved by creating a reverse bottom filter that will prevent grains of sand from rising from the bottom.

In this case, washed river sand is first poured onto the bottom. The second layer is river pebbles or gravel up to 10 mm in size (shungite can be used). And the top layer will be large gravel or pebbles ranging in size from 50 mm. The thickness of each layer is at least 150 mm.

Layed pebble and gravel layer

• The bottom is a pronounced quicksand - which means you can’t do without a special wooden shield. It is knocked together from aspen or oak boards and cut exactly to the size of the bottom of the well. A large number of holes with a diameter of 10 mm are drilled into the shield. It is then wrapped in geotextiles and placed on the bottom.

An aspen round shield for a bottom filter on a quicksand
is pressed down with large stones to prevent it from floating up. At least 200-300 mm layer of small pebbles or gravel is laid on top.

What safety measures are required when digging a well?

The work of digging a well is very specific and dangerous and requires special precautions.

• First of all, the area should be fenced off and strangers, and especially children, should not be allowed into the work area.
• You cannot store the selected soil closer than 3 meters from the mine, or even better, immediately take it to a safe distance. Within the same radius there should be no foreign objects or unused tools at all near the shaft.
• All lifting mechanisms - construction structures, tripods, winches installed on them, gates, hoists, etc. must be checked daily before starting work. The condition of ropes, slings, and rigging hooks is also carefully monitored. All lifting devices must have a reliable brake and locking system.
• Buckets (tubs) for extracting soil must be tightly tied to ropes, and when working at a depth of more than 6 meters, they must also have a safety end.
• Working at depth may be accompanied by the accumulation of gases in the mine, which can cause suffocation for the excavator. Before lowering it into the mine, the air quality must be checked - a burning candle is lowered into it. If it goes out, forced ventilation must be carried out, and then the test is repeated.
• If there is a lack of oxygen during work, it is necessary to create conditions for forced ventilation. For these purposes, you can use a compressor, fan or other air blower (sometimes even a powerful vacuum cleaner), or install a metal furnace near the shaft, the vent of which is connected to a pipe lowered to the very bottom of the shaft.
• It is imperative to warn the excavator by voice about objects being lowered or raised. A worker in a mine must wear a safety helmet, and the possibility of emergency evacuation must be provided.
• When working using the ring deposition method, the upper unclosed edge of the shaft should not be more than 1 meter. If there are signs of instability of the shaft walls, work is immediately stopped until the cause is determined and the possibility of eliminating it is determined.

Typically, work on high-quality digging of wells is carried out by teams of experienced professionals who have their own specialized equipment. It is almost impossible for a beginner to cope with such a task - there are too many nuances familiar only to masters, and the work is fraught with too many dangers.

Find out which submersible pump for a well is best to choose from our new article.

Video: Tips from a professional for digging wells

At this point, the construction of a well on a suburban site is far from completed. There is still serious work to be done on waterproofing, insulation, installation of a clay castle, concrete blind area, installation of water pipes, head equipment and other stages. They will be discussed in more detail in other publications on our portal.

Technological part of the inspection well

Concrete or reinforced concrete well slabs are laid on a crushed stone base.

The main technological element of the structure is a tray made of monolithic concrete grade M200.

The installation of the structure is carried out using formwork templates, which require grouting the surface with a cement solution and subsequent ironing.

The pipeline in the working chamber of the well usually goes into a tray.

Linear structures are equipped with straight trays, the surface of which in the lower part should repeat the surface inside the pipe. The upper part provides for a vertical surface.

The slope of the shelves formed on both sides of the tray towards it is 0.02°. Since the shelves are located in the working part of the well, they serve as platforms where workers involved in carrying out technical activities can fit. The dimensions of the working part at a height of 1800 mm vary. They are selected taking into account the pipe diameter (d):

• d=600 mm - 1000 mm;
• d=800 mm - 1000-1500 mm;
• d=1200 mm - 2000 mm.

The working parts of rectangular wells depend on the diameter of the pipes (d), the size of which is large:

• with d=700 mm - 1000 mm;
• with d>700 mm, the length of the structure along the axis of the pipeline is d+400 mm, and the width is d+500 mm.

The radius of rotation of the tray axis inside the structure should not be less than the diameter of the pipes. The channel for connecting the side branch in the junction structure is made curved, having the same radius of rotation in the direction of movement of the drains.

For larger collector structures with a diameter of 1200 mm or more, a turning radius of at least 5 pipeline diameters is provided. Installation of inspection type wells is carried out at the beginning and end of the turning curve.

Construction of a water well

Mine wells are built using various methods. They depend on the material used to construct the trunk. The main volume of work - lifting the shaft - is usually done manually - independently or with the assistance of assistants.

Water well made of concrete rings

The construction of a well from factory-made concrete rings occurs in the following sequence:

1. A pit is dug 200 - 300 mm larger than the diameter of the ring;
2. The first ring is installed;
3. Further separation is carried out inside it, the ring lowers under its own weight;
4. When the ring is completely immersed, a second ring is installed, the rings are connected into a lock;
5. Then all subsequent elements are installed in a similar way;
6. When water reaches, the joints are sealed with sand-cement mortar.

Ring construction is popular due to its high speed and ease of construction. The disadvantage is the need to use a crane or manipulator to sequentially install the rings.

Wooden water well

Wooden frames for framing mines are now very rarely used. This is due to the presence of modern materials and the fragility of wood.

For the construction of a log house, wood species are used that do not emit significant amounts of by-products - resins, tannins, and so on.

The construction method is similar to using concrete rings - parts of the log house are attached in separate segments. The outer part of the log house is well compacted and compacted with clay of medium fat content.

Water well made of plastic rings

Plastic rings of various diameters and heights are very convenient for building a well. Construction proceeds according to a similar method; the rings are connected by thread. The threaded connection is sealed with plumbing sealant.

The advantage of plastic is its low weight, the disadvantage is its rather high cost (from 10 thousand rubles for 1 ring).

Brick water well

Brick wells are constructed with a complete separation of the mine shaft, and therefore have a depth of no more than 10 meters. Carrying out work in deeper mines is dangerous - there is a possibility of ground collapse.

The trunk is laid out with a round cross-section, 1 brick thick. Often a steel reinforcing frame is constructed to strengthen the structure. Not every brick is suitable for building a well; high-quality annealed bricks are considered the best material.

Sometimes shallow wells (up to 5 meters) are made by pouring concrete mortar into board formwork. In this case, high-quality grades of Portland cement are used, and a reinforcing frame is constructed from steel reinforcement with a diameter of 4–6 mm.

Stormwater and drainage inspection wells

Sewage systems have existed for many hundreds of years, so the technology for constructing these structures has been worked out to the smallest detail. All instructions for the construction of sewer wells and requirements for the operation of treatment facilities are contained in SNiP2.04.03-85 “Sewerage. External networks and structures.” The diameters of the circles of stormwater wells can be different, which is determined by their type:

• observation;
• serviced.

According to the instructions of SniP2.04.03-85, in the process of installing a septic tank on the territory of a private household, it is necessary to install an inspection well between the internal sewer system and the receiving chamber of the treatment plant.

This structure, which is a mine, assumes the presence of a chamber inside. The working part of the well is equipped with inlet and outlet pipes connected using a tray. This design allows you to control the operation of the entire treatment plant.

Despite the fact that the installation of a storm drain may be too expensive, it is impossible not to install inspection wells.

Storm drainage eliminates stagnant water flows and protects plants on the site from rotting.

The drainage system is equipped with a slope so that water flows from the soil surface into the well through a special grate.

The well is connected to the collector by pipes that have a smooth surface inside that can slow down the stagnation of debris entering the pipeline system.

Different sewerage systems differ in their design characteristics. The general requirements of the regulations require that sewage routes be equipped with inspection cameras.

Tube well-well

The tube well (Norton well) is intended mainly for obtaining water of technical quality and purpose. The depth of the well can reach 8 meters, the service life is 3 – 5 years.

A sharp steel cone-shaped tip with a base diameter of 55 - 60 mm is welded onto a steel pipe with a diameter of no more than 50 mm. Above it, at a distance of 300 - 350 mm around the circumference, holes are drilled with a drill with a diameter of 3 - 4 mm. The holes should not be placed frequently, otherwise the rigidity of the pipe will be compromised. The recommended distance between holes is at least 7 - 10 mm.

The surface of the filter is covered with a stainless mesh - it will serve as protection against sand and silt.

The pipe (needle - well) is driven into the ground. The suction pipe of a manual or self-priming low-power surface pump is inserted into it. It is impossible to install a submersible pump due to its small diameter.

The average water limit of an Abyssinian well is up to 1000 liters per hour. Water is used mainly for technical purposes - watering plants, washing and cleaning.

Requirements for installing an inspection well

The main purpose of inspection cameras is to control and clean the pipeline from debris and dirt. According to the requirements of SNiP, inspection cameras must be located at a minimum distance from each other, which is 15 m. The first inspection tank should be installed at a distance of at least 3 m from residential buildings.

According to the requirements of SNiP 2.04.03-85, any sewer system cannot be equipped without inspection cameras.

They provide free access to the pipeline system, which is necessary for carrying out preventive measures and performing repair work. According to the standards, they must be installed every 30-40 m of the sewage route with a minimum diameter of the pipes used equal to 150 mm.

Inspection cameras are installed on straight sections of sufficient length. These structures are also located at joints where the direction or slope of the pipeline changes.

They can be of two varieties:

• linear;
• rotary.

The main function of wells is to level out differences in the height of treatment systems if the value of this indicator exceeds the permissible level. The diameter of the pit prepared for the treatment plant must be 0.5 m larger than the size of the well itself.

The distance between the level of the bottom of the pit and the bottom of the pipe should be 60-70 cm. A sufficiently high level of aquifers requires the installation of waterproofing during the process of laying the well.

Well cleaning procedure

When constructing a well and operating it, there is often a need to clean the structure. You can perform the procedure yourself.

Tips for cleaning a well:

1. First you need to provide access to the first ring. To do this, disassemble the head or cover.
2. Next you need to pump out the water. The procedure includes several stages. First it is performed before diagnostics, then during the cleaning process, and the final stage is at the end of the work.
3. Then the inner surface of the rings is washed and disinfected. Any organic deposits and plaque are removed using a stiff brush. A high pressure device will speed up the process.
4. Next, a visual assessment of the well, walls and bottom is carried out. Repair work may be required.
5. If necessary, repair the inner surface of the well.
6. Then they get rid of sediments at the bottom and silt. To do this, use a bucket and shovel. Typically, the amount of such deposits can be contained in three buckets, but there are exceptional cases.

You can clean the well yourself.
When cleaning, it may be necessary to replace the bottom filter. This will require gravel. This layer will purify the water and strengthen the soil layer at the bottom. Cleaning is often carried out using a pump.

Installation of well rings has many features. Helpers will be needed during the work. A well with concrete rings can be made in several ways. You can dig a pit and lower the rings, or you can lower them as the digging progresses.

Installation locations for inspection wells

The construction of inspection wells is often carried out in places where the pipeline turns, where large debris that enters the drainage system is most retained.

The accumulation of contaminants with debris causes severe silting of the area, which leads to the formation of a blockage.

Removal of such accumulations is carried out in the working part of the well using special equipment or a steel cable.

The installation locations of drainage inspection wells depend on their types:

1. Rotary. They are installed in those sections of the sewer route where the direction of the main line changes.
2. Nodal. They are located exclusively in branching areas of the pipeline system.
3. Auditing. They are designed to control the drainage system in areas where it is connected to the central sewer system.

Since the diameter of pipes that relate to external sewerage can reach 150 mm, the distance between inspection wells is usually 35 m.

If the cross-sectional size of the pipes is 200 mm, then the distance increases to 50 m.

The value of this distance is directly dependent on the following parameters:

• diameter of sewer pipes;
• length of the route;
• inspection well designs.

The installation of these structures is carried out in places where:

1. The pipeline is branched in several directions.
2. The flow of wastewater changes.
3. Monitoring of sewer pipes is required.
4. The diameter and angle of inclination of the pipeline line changes.

Pros and cons of a well on the site

Like wells, Abyssinian wells have their advantages, which is why they are consistently in demand among private owners.

• Simplicity - the design of the tip, filter and pipe can be assembled independently, all components are freely available. Well, it makes no sense to compare digging and pulling out cubic meters of soil and driving in a thin pipe.
• Affordability - even if you buy a ready-made kit with a factory filter, the Abyssinian will cost much less than a well, even a prefabricated one, even a monolithic one.
• Speed ​​– it’s quite possible to penetrate the soil with a needle in a day, or at most, in a few days; even a professional can’t handle a well that quickly.
• Efficiency - when the aquifer is thick enough, it is possible to obtain up to 5 m³ per day from the Abyssinian and this is more than enough to supply consumers in the house and for the needs of the garden plot. If the flow rate is insufficient, there are working ways to “boost” the Abyssinian and increase its productivity without large investments.

The main disadvantages of the Abyssinian well have already been listed in the previous section, but we can add to them the requirement for adherence to technology. If you do not pay due attention to the filter element, the well will silt up much faster and stop producing a sufficient amount of water.

Artesian wells are considered the most reliable and durable water intake structure, but they are also the most expensive, and now also illegal. Plus, there must be enough space on the site for drilling and there is not free access for heavy special equipment everywhere.

Construction of an observation structure

To create storm drains of modern models, high-quality polyethylene or polypropylene is used.

These materials are used to make double-walled pipes with a rigid surface.

The use of these pipes makes it possible to cope with various loads associated with displacement or freezing of the soil, and the movement of groundwater.

The structures of inspection and service wells are equipped with a hatch.

They provide for a neck having a width of 630-800 mm. GOST requires the installation of round wells, the working part of which includes reinforced concrete rings, which represent a reservoir for the pipeline.

To create structural elements of a manhole, elements are used that are manufactured in accordance with GOST 8020-68 in the factory.

The working part can consist of CS or wall rings with the following dimensions of internal and external diameters (DvxDn):

• 700x840 mm;
• 1000x1100 mm;
• 1500x1680 mm;
• 2000x2200 mm.

The height of the rings is usually:

• 290 mm;
• 590 mm;
• 890 mm.

A flat floor slab (PP) of a well with a thickness of 100 mm can have the following diameter dimensions:

• 1100 mm;
• 1680 mm;
• 2200 mm.

The bottom plate (PD), having a thickness of 100 mm, has a diameter equal to:

• 1500 mm;
• 2000 mm;
• 2500 mm.

The inner and outer diameters of the support rings (OK) are 660 mm and 840 mm, respectively. The thickness of the concrete adjustment stones is 65 mm. The height of the hatch installed above the neck is 175 mm. It is laid flush with the road surface.

Where to locate the water intake

Since the source in the well and Abyssinian is always groundwater, when choosing the location of the water intake, it is necessary to adhere to the standard distances.

• From the foundation of the house - 3-5 meters, except for cases when the water intake is organized inside the perimeter.

• From farm buildings (for poultry and animals) - at least 30 meters.
• From general purpose outbuildings - at least 1 meter.
• From trees - at least 4 meters.
• From bushes - at least 1 meter.
• From polluting objects - at least 50 meters.
• From local closed treatment facilities - at least 20 meters.
• From the fence and roadway - at least 5 meters.
• From the neighbor's fence - at least 1 meter.

The working part as a structural element of the well

The working part of the well, mounted using wall rings, has a height of 1.8 m. The size of the internal diameter of the KS Dv is 1000-2000 mm, which is determined by the diameter of the pipes.

The rings are installed on the leveled surface of the tray. The minimum dimensions of the working part of the well, depending on its type, are subject to the following requirements:

• height - not less than 900 mm;
• shaft diameter is 150-200 mm with a pipe diameter of no more than 70 mm.

The height of the working part of the well varies between 1.0-2.8 m. The transition to the neck from the working chamber of the structure is carried out using a floor slab (PP), the thickness of which is 100 mm. It has a hole with a diameter of 700 mm.

Installation of the neck is carried out using wall rings (WR) with internal and external diameters equal to 700 mm and 840 mm.

To protect the well from contamination and insulate it, an additional cover made of wood or metal should be installed in the tray part of the support ring.

Brackets in the working part coated with anti-corrosion varnish are provided for lowering workers into the structure.

For their manufacture, reinforcing steel is used, the diameter of which is 16-19 mm. They must be firmly embedded in the walls of the wells.

The initial bracket is installed at a height of 0.7 m from the very top of the structure. Next, the staples are placed down in a checkerboard pattern.

In this case, the distance between them is taken into account, equal to 0.30 - 0.35 m. The width of the running brackets when they extend from the walls of the structure at 0.12 - 0.15 m should be 0.15 m. The horizontal distance between the rows of running brackets is provided equal to 0.15 m.

What does a well consist of?

Basically, above-ground and underground elements are distinguished. The depth of the well should allow filtration to be installed.

Main parts of the well:

1. Header. Represents the upper ground part. The element performs a protective function to prevent runoff and precipitation from entering the source. The head structure includes a roofing part, a blind area, a canopy and a lifting structure. To decorate the head, you can use wood, stone, or plaster. A mechanism is provided outside for draining rainwater.
2. Shafts of hydraulic structures. This is the space between the head and the bottom. The design has a casing. The main purpose of the element is to protect concrete rings from destruction.
3. Water intake part. Used to store water. There the liquid is filtered and settled.

The well consists of above-ground and underground elements.
The water intake part includes a casing and a filter. In this case, the design can be incomplete, complete or with a sump. In the incomplete version, the column does not reach the water layer and approaches from below.

The incomplete design is simple to implement and has a large volume of water.

The full version is more complex in design, where the casing rests on a layer of waterproof rocks. The part with the sump has a water reserve depth of 1.5 meters. Suitable for large quantities of liquid.

Dimensions of inspection wells

The inspection well must be quite large in size so that it is easy for an adult to go down into the shaft of the structure, carry out an inspection, and clean the drainage pipes.

A shaft with an appropriate cross-section allows for timely maintenance of the sewerage system.

According to regulations, the height of the working part of the well must be determined taking into account human height, so on average this parameter is 1.8 m. Inspection wells can have the following dimensions:

1. Rotary. These are small structures with a diameter of 315-460 mm.
2. Nodal. These structures have a diameter of 36-560 mm.
3. Auditing. These are quite large structures with a maximum transverse diameter of 800-1500 mm.

The parameters of nodal and rotary wells should be selected depending on the expected volume of groundwater and storm water. If liquid enters the system in large quantities, then the diameter of the drainage structure must be appropriate. This is most relevant to the starting points of the piping system.

According to SNiP 2.04.03-85, it is necessary to take the dimensions of the diameters of storm sewer system wells on pipelines with a diameter of:

• up to 600 mm - 1000 mm;
• 700 mm - more than 1000 mm.

Their width must correspond to the largest diameter of the pipeline. The working part of wells with a pipeline with a diameter of 700-1400 mm must have a height taken into account from the pipe tray with a larger diameter.

Working parts should not be provided on pipelines with a diameter of 1500 mm or more.

Where is the water quality better?

The favorite argument of supporters of well water supply is the better quality of water compared to wells. But this is more likely due to the different taste parameters of felt-tip pens. Both the well and the Abyssinian are shallow water intake structures built on sand. And the quality of water will depend not on the method of its production, but on the characteristics of the water horizon and the presence or absence of polluting factors nearby. And it is a myth that water from the same aquifer, but with different extraction technologies, differs in organoleptic indicators. Well, in the current environmental situation, and taking into account the widespread violation of sanitary and building standards, drinking water without proper purification, whether from a well or from a borehole, is a questionable undertaking.

Types of filtration wells in industry and everyday life

Filter structures, also called dry or absorption, are made using building materials and various waste, which are large sections of pipes.

Various plastics are used to create filtration wells:

• polyethylene (PE);
• polypropylene (PP);
• fiberglass;
• unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The working part of a well equipped with a filter is determined by the groundwater conditions, the depth of the well, the drilling method and the selected type of filter. Drilling of wells for water supply wells is carried out on the basis of the shock-rope and rotary methods. There are 2 types of wells for draining water using a filter. The principle of their operation is the same, but they are used in different systems:

• storm drain;
• sewerage.

The installation of drainage absorption wells is the final stage of installation of the site's drainage system.

The presence of a natural filter, which is an element of the working part of the well, allows groundwater flowing through the pipeline to be drained into the ground. The wastewater is cleared of sludge and harmful impurities.

The purpose of absorption wells in the sewerage system is associated with the post-treatment of wastewater coming from tanks that are hermetically sealed. In them, wastewater undergoes primary biological treatment. The tank is made of brick, concrete or reinforced concrete rings, rubble stone.

Filtration of wastewater and its subsequent removal is carried out through the bottom of the structure, on which there is a filter in the form of a mineral cushion, including fine crushed stone, gravel or sand. Unlike storage chambers that resemble cesspools, filter wells are able to quickly dispose of sewage with a liquid fraction, so they do not require too frequent cleaning.

Old-fashioned method - well

A well is a kind of shaft, with an average depth of 10-15 meters, in which water from the nearest aquifer accumulates. The fundamental difference from the well is the diameter - at least a meter. It is thanks to its diameter that the well acquires its main property - it is filled with water. And this water is extracted in different ways - most often in the modern world they use a pump that supplies it to the mountain, but the old-fashioned turntable with a chain and bucket also has a right to exist (however, now such exotic equipment is practically not used).

The well shaft is equipped with concrete rings with a groove connection or smooth walls. The tightness of the well will depend on how well the joints are closed. Moreover, this applies to both the inlet of water into the mine and the flow out of it. Sometimes a concrete shaft is made monolithic - as a rule, such reinforced rings are cast from above as they are dug. By the way, here lies another difference between a well and a well - a well is drilled, and a well is dug (less often, if you suddenly decide to build on a rock, it is hollowed out or knocked out).

Filters for absorption structures

The difference between filter absorption wells is the absence of a sealed bottom. At the bottom of the working chamber of the structure, a bottom filter is equipped, consisting of the following types of materials that differ in fraction:

1. River sand. Backfill with a high content of quartz, which has a fine fraction, is mined in river quarries and includes silt, clay and other impurities in the smallest quantities.
2. Gravel. Loose backfill of the middle fraction, which is a sedimentary rock capable of absorbing various substances, which makes it possible to use it as an adsorbent.
3. Pebbles. Pebbles measuring 1-15 cm, having a rounded shape, obtained when they collide with each other at the bottom or on the shore of reservoirs, need to be washed before backfilling.
4. Crushed stone. Pebbles of medium and large size, formed as a result of crushing boulders, various rocks or waste from the metallurgical industry, therefore, when purchasing material, a certificate must be checked, which confirms the safe level of natural radioactivity.
5. Jade. The backfill of the coarse fraction, which is sodium-aluminum silicate, resembling greenish jade, is chemically inert when interacting with water.
6. Shungite. A rock formed from ancient bottom organic sediments, used as an adsorbent, requiring periodic replacement in the same way as gravel.

When choosing the mineral shungite, you must be careful, since unscrupulous sellers tend to sell not shungite, but shungizite, which superficially resembles it, but does not have such useful properties.

The filter filling, created using the listed materials, represents the working part of the well. It must have a total height of up to 1 m.

What do experts recommend?

Valentin Semenov, master driller: There is no need to rush to immediately drink water from the well. It is better to take the samples for analysis to a laboratory after it has cleared. This will allow you to be calm about the quality of the water. Konstantin Ivanovich Dyachenko, master driller: You can, of course, first dig the entire shaft to the required depth, and only then lower all the rings into it. But in practice, this can lead to the collapse of the unstrengthened walls of the well before it is dug to its full depth.

Installation locations for filter wells

The installation of filter wells is carried out in areas where there is no drainage system.

They are installed in areas where there are no natural reservoirs for drainage. The structure can be operated as an independent structure, equipped with a working part, a filter, and a neck.

The device is installed during the construction of a drainage system or installation of a storm sewer.

It can be a well designed for additional treatment of wastewater that has undergone initial treatment in a septic tank.

Filtration wells have very limited capabilities, which is due to the rules and features of their installation.

The arrangement of these structures is regulated by SNiP 2.04.03-85. Absorption working chambers can only be located on sandy or sandy loam soils with good absorption capacity.

Clay soils with low filtration qualities are not suitable for constructing filtration treatment facilities.

Particular attention must be paid to the depth of groundwater in a particular area. If the aquifer is located high, then it is not recommended to install an absorption chamber, since it should have a depth of 2.0 to 2.5 m.

The distance from the bottom of the chamber to groundwater must be at least 1.5 m. The average daily volume of wastewater should not be more than 1 m³. If it exceeds these parameters, then you should choose not an absorption system, but another drainage system.

The system operates on the following principle. Effluent from the sewer enters a sealed chamber, where within 2-3 days it is oxidized under the influence of anaerobic bacteria living in airless space.

Next, the wastewater passes into the filtration chamber, where there are other types of bacteria - aerobes, which are active under the influence of oxygen. This ensures double purification of water entering the ground from the absorption structure. It contains practically no harmful microorganisms and various organic substances.

In Vasmer Max's dictionary

well well, old Russian. well (Laurentian letop.), Ukrainian. well, blr. Kolodzez, st.-slav. treasure (Euch. Sin.), Bulgarian. treasurer, Serbohorv. Kladenac, Slovenian. kladénǝc. Converted from ancient German. (Goth.) *kalding- from *kaldiōn (from which Finnish kaltio “source”), Old Norse. kelda “source” – to Goth. kalds “cold”, using suf. -ets (-s) or under the influence of Tslav. student Wed. Swiss local n. Källingе from källa, Danish. kilde "source", Finnish-Sw. Kaldinge; see Ekblom, Mel. Perpersen 417 et seq.; Thorbjornsson 1, 81; Bernecker 1, 543 et seq.; Frenkel, IF 70, 106; Mi. EW 123; Setele, FUF 13, 375; Yagich, AfslPh 10, 195; Meilleux, Ét. 355; Uhlenbeck, AfslPh 15, 488; Sobolevsky, Lectures 82, 145; RFV 22, 31; Knutsson, Palat. 64; Stender-Petersen 277 et seq. The elevation of the word well to deck (see) in Brückner (ZfslPh 6, 65; AfslPh 42, 139), Bugi (RFV 70, 255), Kiparsky (38 et seq.) is unconvincing. Brandt (RFV 22, 138 et seq.) considers the original absolutely incredible ancestral form *хoldędзь (from cold), transformed according to the deck. Wed. meaning Norwegian-Danish verma, vermsl “a source that does not freeze in winter” (Falk-Thorpe 507), as well as lit. šaltìnis "spring"; šáltas “cold”, tslav. student Kiparsky (VYa, 1956, No. 5, p. 134) came out in defense of the original glory. origin of the word well (from deck). I find this etymology unconvincing due to the presence of suf. -ędzь and abundance of names of rivers from wells. The latter speaks rather about the originality of the meaning. “source”, not “well with a wooden frame”. •• (See also Kiparsky, “Neuphilol. Mitteil.”, 54, 1953, p. 378 et seq.; Lvov, “Reports and communications. In. Language,” 10, 1956, p. 45 et seq. - T.)

Materials for the working part of the well

The working part of inspection wells is necessary to monitor the condition of the sewerage system and subsequently troubleshoot problems.

This structure has no alternative. Installation is carried out in accordance with regulatory documents and rules in those places where the likelihood of breakdown is greatest.

In these areas, the speed of the water flow and its width change, so the slope and diameter of the pipeline must be different. Wells differ not only in their designs, but also in the materials from which they are made.

Concrete is the most common material used to make the working parts of wells. Typical concrete structures have many disadvantages:

1. The structure is made according to the standard, and the place where the structure will be located is not taken into account.
2. Low level of waterproofing quality, since the concrete well is prefabricated, installed using special rings that are removed, so groundwater penetrates into the sewer system, and wastewater penetrates into the ground, which causes its poisoning.
3. Cleaning is done manually, involving two people who must perform the following actions: guide the brush and twist the wire that sets the tool in motion.

In general, concrete wells are not effective, so they are used only because they are cheap. The advent of polymers has made it possible to design new safe types of sewer systems, allowing significant savings on the materials used. Among the advantages of polymers are:

1. There is no need for constant maintenance, since the working part of the well made of polymers can have a diameter of 30 rather than 70 cm.
2. Reduced volume and diameter of the well, ensuring savings in resources and effort for the installation of a polymer structure.
3. Light weight welded plastic manholes that can be easily used in any situation.
4. The presence of a corrugated pipe, which is easily extended and compressed taking into account the size of the area.
5. The presence of complete waterproofing, since water no longer seeps in (as is the case with concrete rings).
6. Long service life, because polymer materials are wear-resistant.

What time of year is best to start digging a well?

Oddly enough, summer is not considered the best time of the year. And it's definitely not spring. The fact is that in spring (and partly in summer) water underground under the influence of floods, precipitation, etc. rises as high as possible. So in this case, there is a risk of quickly getting to the bottom of the aquifer, which will “go deeper” with the onset of autumn and winter. That is, the well will simply dry up.

Autumn is the best time to dig a well.

Note! In winter, due to freezing of the soil and general cold weather, it is inconvenient to carry out drilling and other work related to the construction of a well. Therefore, autumn can be considered the ideal time of year to start digging a well.

Design of water wells

Groundwater is most often collected using vertical wells (tube wells). To facilitate the work, working chambers and trays with small diameters are used.

Water intake wells of the greatest depth make it possible to create conditions for receiving groundwater that are impeccable in sanitary terms.

The flow rate (flow rate) of the tubular structure depends on the thickness of the aquifers and the filtration coefficient of the soil. The flow rate is also determined by the design features of the structure, the design of which assumes the presence of a filter and a pump. The design of any tube-type well includes the following parts:

• water intake or filter;
• operational or working;
• wellhead or head.

Pumps and a water-lifting pipeline must be provided in the working part of the wells. When designing tube wells, the following main points must be taken into account:

• number of wells;
• static and dynamic fluid level in the well;
• working chamber performance;
• placement of cameras on the site and the possibility of their mutual influence;
• conditions for transporting fluid from wells to consumers;
• designs of filters and wells, pipe diameters;
• way of designing the header;
• type of pumps used;
• reserve number of wells.

According to SNiP, the arrangement of surface water intake structures should include the ability to control the difference in liquid level on meshes and gratings.

It is necessary to ensure the ability to measure the water level in working chambers, in reservoirs or watercourses. Wells must provide the ability to measure the following indicators:

1. Flow rate or volume of water supplied from wells.
2. Water level in the chamber of the shaft well and collection tank.
3. Pump pressure.

When the liquid level drops below the permissible level in the working part, it must be possible to automatically turn off the pumps.

Legislation twists

According to the current version of the Law “On Subsoil”, land owners can use groundwater from any horizon. Provided that the daily volume will not exceed 100 m³ and will be used only to meet one’s own needs and not to conduct business. But with one caveat - if this horizon is not a source of centralized water supply and is located above the horizon, which is such a source. And although there is no direct indication, it is understood that we are talking about water intakes from sandy layers. Because to drill an artesian well on limestone, a license is required. And according to the same law, it is not allowed to be issued to private owners who are not individual entrepreneurs.

It turns out that technically today it is possible to drill a well for lime of any depth, if only there was money, such services are provided by a lot of specialized companies, but legally this is illegal. In addition to the fact that no one will give a license to use the subsoil to an individual, almost all deep underground sources are used for centralized water supply. Even if the nearest large populated area is tens of kilometers away, a neighboring SNT or cottage community could very well chip in for a public artesian well. By the way, taking into account all the nuances, today this is the only legal way to organize water supply based on a well for lime. But no license is required for wells and Abyssinian sand wells, which, if properly constructed, will regularly supply the site and house with water for years. Naturally, at your own peril and risk, artesian wells are still drilled all the time, but the danger of getting fined is very real. The authorities have actively taken on unauthorized construction, abandoned buildings and unregistered real estate, where there is a guarantee that they will not begin to tighten the screws regarding water intake.

Choosing a site for construction

First you need to decide on your place of work. A number of factors are taken into account. Thus, construction near sources of large pollution is prohibited, otherwise water, passing through the upper layers of the earth, will absorb harmful substances. These may be garbage pits or wastewater collection points.

When installing on a slope, construction should be carried out above sources of pollution.

Building a well is not always profitable. In this case, the hydrological factor is taken into account. In swampy areas, well water cannot be used.

Choosing a site for construction

First you need to decide on your place of work. A number of factors are taken into account. Thus, construction near sources of large pollution is prohibited, otherwise water, passing through the upper layers of the earth, will absorb harmful substances. These may be garbage pits or wastewater collection points.

When installing on a slope, construction should be carried out above sources of pollution.

Building a well is not always profitable. In this case, the hydrological factor is taken into account. In swampy areas, well water cannot be used.