Chapter 3

CHAPTER-THREE
3.0 SOURCES OF WATER

3.1 Types
The origin of all water is rainfall. Water can be collected as it falls as rain before it reaches the
ground; or as surface water when it flows over the ground; or is pooled in lakes or ponds; or as
ground water when it percolates in to the ground and flows or collects as groundwater; from the
sea/ocean in to which it finally flows.
The following are the different surface sources of water:

a) River or stream
b) Ponds or lakes
c) Storage reservoir
A. River or steam
Rivers and streams are the main source of surface source of water. It is formed by the
runoff in the mountain & hill areas. Some rivers are perennial (water available
throughout the year) and some are non-perennial (water available in raining season
only) In summer the quality of river water is better than monsoon because in rainy
season the run-off water also carries with clay, sand, silt etc which make the water
turbid. So, river and stream water require special treatments. Some rivers are perennial
and have water throughout the year and therefore they don’t require any arrangements
to hold the water. But some rivers dry up wholly or partially in summer. So they
require special arrangements to meet the water demand during hot weather. Mostly all
the cities are situated near the rivers discharge their used water of sewage in the rivers;
therefore much care should be taken while drawing water from the river.
B. Ponds or Lakes
It is natural or artificial depressions where surface runoff is collected in rainy season.
In mountains at some places natural basins are formed with impervious bed by springs and
streams are known as “lakes”. The quantity of water in the natural ponds and lakes depends upon
the basins capacity, catchment area, annual rainfall, porosity of ground etc. Lakes and ponds
situated at higher altitudes contain almost pure water which can be used without any treatment.
But ponds formed due to construction of houses, road, and railways contains large amount of
impurities and therefore cannot be used for water supply purposes.
C. Storage Reservoir
In some rivers the flow becomes very small and cannot meet the requirements of hot
weather. In such cases, the water can be stored by constructing weir or a dam across
the river at such places where minimum area of land is submerged in the water and
maximum quantity of water to be stored. In lakes and reservoirs, suspended impurities
settle down in the bottom, but in their beds algae, weeds, vegetable and organic
growth takes place which produce bad smell, taste and color in water. Therefore, this
water should be used after purification. When water is stored for long time in
reservoirs it should be aerated and chlorinated to kill the microscopic organisms which
are born in water. This sources is always preferred for large water supply projects.
Ground Water Sources

Types of Ground Water sources
The following are the underground source of water: i)
Spring
- When the underground water reappears at the ground surface by underground

pressure, then it is known as spring.
- Generally springs are formed under following circumstances

a. When the surface of the earth drops sharply below the normal ground
watertable.
b. When due to an obstruction ground water is collected in the form of a reservoir

and forces the water to overflow at the surfaces
c. When a pervious layer is sandwiched between two impervious layer
ii) Infiltration
Galleries
- It is underground tunnel. Which have holes on its sides, used for tapping
underground water near river, lakes or streams
iii)
Infiltration wells
- These are shallow wells constructed under the sandy river bed.
iv) Wells
- It is an artificial hole make into the ground for extracting the underground water.
- The well may be of two types. These are
a) Open well: - It is constructed by digging the earth.
- It draws water from the topmost pervious layer.
- The diameter of this well varies from 1m to 2m and the depth varies from 20m to
30m depending upon the nature of soil & the water table.
b) Tube well: - It is constructed by sinking G.I pipes.

- It draws water from the deeper most pervious layer.
- The diameter and the depth of this well varying from 37mm to 150
mm and 100m to 200m respectively, depending upon the nature of
soil and suitable water bearing strata.
3.2 Source Selection criteria

The choice of source of water supply to a town or city depends on the following factors
1) Location: - The source of water should be as near to the town as possible
2) Quantity of water: - The sources of water should have sufficient quantity of water to meet all
the demand of the city throughout the year.
Source of water should be able to meet the maximum demand in dry season also.
3) Quality of water: - The quality of water should be good which can be easily & cheaply treated.
It should not contain disease germ and free from pollution.
4) Cost: - The cost of the water supply project should be minimum (the relative elevation of the
town & sources, the distance b/n the source & the town.)
The selection of the source of water supply is done on the above points and the source w/c
will give good quality & quantity at less cost will be selected.

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CHAPTER-THREE

3.0 SOURCES OF WATER

The following are the different surface sources of water:

Ground Water Sources

- When the underground water reappears at the ground surface by underground

- Generally springs are formed under following circumstances

b. When due to an obstruction ground water is collected in the form of a reservoir

b) Tube well: - It is constructed by sinking G.I pipes.

3.2 Source Selection criteria

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