Dug wells

Slovak term: Slovenský termín

1. A hole manually excavated in the earth to access a supply of water (WHO and IRC 2003).
2. Dug wells are holes in the ground dug by shovel or backhoe; it is excavated below the groundwater table until incoming water exceeded the digger’s bailing rate. The well is then lined (cased) with stones, brick, tile, or other material to prevent collapse and it is covered with a cap of wood, stone, or concrete. Since it is so difficult to dig beneath the ground water table, dug wells are typically not very deep (10 to 30 feet) (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 2006).

Explanation

A dug well gives access to a groundwater aquifer and facilitates its abstraction. Dug wells can be entered for cleaning or deepening, and they will rarely be less than 0.8 m in diameter. There are two main types of dug wells. Unprotected wells are hand-dug holes that are not usually lined and have no effective protection above ground. As a result, they are very susceptible to contamination. Protected wells are wells that are dug by hand or by machinery. The main parts consist of a stone, brick or concrete apron to direct surface water away from the well to a drainage channel; a headwall (the part of the well lining above ground) to protect from spilt water, debris, and sunlight; and a lining that prevents the well from collapsing (WHO and IRC 2003).

References

• WHO and IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (2003) [http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/om/en/wsh9241562153.pdf Linking technology choice with operation and maintenance in the context of community water supply and sanitation: A reference document for planners and project staff
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (2006) Health Drinking Water for Rhode Islanders: Private Drinking Water Wells.

Links

• WHO — The Health and Environment Lexicon