Depth of occurrence of groundwater: methods for determining

Most houses have centralized water supply. But due to remoteness from the settlement or for other reasons in some country cottages, it is not in dachas. Owners have to drill a well or equip a well.

To determine the horizon of the source, one has to resort to the help of a professional. His services will not be expensive. The depth of groundwater can be established independently. At the same time, it will be possible to substantially save the means of the family budget for the construction of the water supply system. For this, several simple approaches are used. Before you start, you should consider the whole procedure in detail.

Type of groundwater

Depth of groundwater table is different. The type of source depends on this indicator. It is taken into account when carrying out the water supply system. The layer closest to the surface is called perch. It is located at a depth of 2-3 m. Such a source is only applicable for technical purposes.

Then follows groundwater with a free surface. Also there are interplastic non-pressure and pressure artesian springs. The most pure, suitable for drinking is the last species. Chemical composition and quality are the highest among all sources. A layer of water can pass in sandy, clay soils or in gravel.

Features of groundwater

Before determining the depth of groundwater, it is necessary to learn about their features. First of all, the type of terrain affects their location. In the steppe, where the surface is flat, the layers run evenly. At any point, their depth is the same.

But in the presence of potholes, the slides of water are also located in the crook. Experts recommend that when creating a well, take into account such features of the relief. If you need water for technical purposes, you can use the first layer. It is closer to the surface than others.

For drinking purposes, it is necessary to use water at least from the second layer. If the terrain is hilly, it is better to drill a well on a hill. In this case, the soil layer will better filter out such water.

In the swampy terrain, groundwaters can approach the surface at a depth of only 1 m. When designing a well, one must be ready for this.

Groundwater in the Moscow region

Before drilling a well, the owners of their own house should make inquiries about the features of the layers of underground sources. For example, the depth of groundwater in the Moscow region is characterized by heterogeneity.

There are 5 main layers. All of them are unequally located and have different capacities. The first three layers are characterized by low head pressure. They are used for technical purposes. Water discharge occurs in small streams and rivers. These groundwater are replenished in the spring period, when the snow begins to melt.

In the dolomitic and limestone rocks, there are two lower layers. The depth of their occurrence is about 100 m. These sources are suitable for drinking purposes. In the Moscow region, central water supply is laid from these sources.

Preparation for measurement

The humidification conditions and the depth of groundwater are rather closely related. When you are going to make measurements, you need to choose the right time. At the same time, there should be no drought or prolonged rains. All weather conditions affect the result of the measurements.

To determine the depth of groundwater, one should use one of the simple methods. For this it is necessary to prepare all improvised means and materials. Of the tools you will need a conventional bayonet shovel, a drill, a tape measure. It is also necessary to prepare a long rope.

In addition to tools, certain chemical elements are needed. It is sulfur, quicklime and copper sulfate. For different methods, these or other improvised means will be required.

Drilling

The determination of the depth of groundwater is possible in several ways. The most reliable of them is drilling. At the same time, it is possible to determine exactly what depth is at the underground source, whether there are significant obstacles in the form of stones on the way to it.

For work the usual factory drill is suitable. If desired, additional blades are welded onto its blades. The tool cuts into the soft ground. It is extracted together with the earth to the surface. To soften the soil, it is watered.

By means of a threaded, bushing connection, the borer is fastened to the pipes to be deepened to the desired level. Then, using a rope, make measurements. The well should be 0.5-1 m deeper than the water surface. A piece of paper is attached to the rope and it is checked at what level it will get wet.

Use of chemicals

If you do not want to drill a well, there is an easier way of knowing how deep the groundwater is. To do this, dig a hole in the supposed place with a shovel. It can be about 0.5 m deep. It requires the installation of a clay pot.

In a vessel in equal proportions mix the quicklime, sulfur and copper sulfate. Next, the hole is buried and left for a day. After this, the pot is removed to the surface and weighed. The heavier it became, the closer the groundwater approaches the surface. This method is not precise enough, but it has been used since the earliest times. Only now it has been improved.

Barometer

Another reliable way to determine what the depth of occurrence of groundwater in a given area is the use of a barometer. However, it should be noted that its use requires the presence of a pond in the district.

If there is one, you can start to measure. Each division of the barometer corresponds to 1 m of depth. First you need to approach the water body with the device. Here, the barometer readings are recorded.

Further, they move from the reservoir to the proposed site for drilling the well. The instrument reading is indicated. The difference between the first and second measurement is approximately equal to the depth of the underground source.

This method is also not very accurate. Accuracy distorts the real picture. But the general principle can be understood.

The People's Way

The depth of groundwater can be determined by popular methods. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to vegetation. Where the source comes close to the surface, it is greener, brighter. In such places, they like to grow reeds, ivy, forget-me-not and other hygrophilous representatives of the flora.

The popular approach suggests the following. It is necessary to wash in a soap solution and dry the hair well. On the prospective place for the experiment, vegetation is removed.

On the ground lay wool. A raw egg is laid on it and everything is covered with a frying pan. In the morning, evaluate the result of the experiment. If the egg and the litter of the wool are covered with dew drops, then the water comes close to the surface. But to carry out such a procedure is necessary in dry weather.

Having examined how the depth of groundwater is determined, it is possible to make measurements independently. Depending on the chosen method, you can get a more accurate or approximate result. All work can be done independently. At the same time it will be possible to save considerably the means of the family budget.