Definition of Sanitary Well
A sanitary well is one which is properly located, well-constructed and well protected against possible contamination so as to ensure a supply of safe water.
ii. Criteria for construction of a Sanitary Well / Characteristics of Sanitary well.
Mnemonic: ………………
1. Location
2. Lining
3. Parapet
4. Platform
5. Covering
6. Drain
7. Hand pump
8. Consumer Responsibility
9. Quality
1. Location
- First step is Choosing of a proper site.
- To avoid bacterial contamination
- Located not less than 15m (50 feet) from likely source of
contamination e.g. Septic Tank etc.
- Located at a higher elevation with respect to the possible
contamination.
- Distance between the well and the houses of the users also to be
considered.
- No users will have to carry water for more than 100m (100
yards) (recommended distance).
2. Lining
- Built of bricks / stones set in cement up to a depth of at least 6m (20f).
- Water enters from the bottom not from the sides of the well.
- Lining should be carried 60 - 90 cm (2-3f) above the ground level.
3. Parapet
- There should be a parapet wall up to a height of at least 70 -75cm
(28 inches) above the ground.
4. Platform
= Cement concrete platform around the well extending at least 1m
(3feet) in all direction .
- Gentle slope outwards, towards a drain built along its edges.
5. Covering
- Top of the well should be closed by a cement concrete cover
( because an open top, directly introduce bulk of pollution into the
well, the Study shown improvement in bacteriological quality of
water.).
6. Drain
- A pucca drain to carry off spilled water to public drain / a soakage
pit constructed well beyond the ‘cone of filtration’ area of drainage of
the well.
7. Hand Pump
- The sanitary well should be equipped with a hand pump for lifting the
water in a sanitary manner.
- The study have shown that when a hand pump is fitted there is marked
improvement in bacteriological quality of the water.
- Hand Pump should be of robust construction to withstand rough
handling by the people.
- There should be an efficient maintenance & repair service.
8. CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY
- Provision of sanitary well, does not guarantee freedom from water
borne diseases unless the consumers observe certain basic
precautions at the individual and the family level
- Strict cleanliness should be enforced in the vicinity of the well.
- Personal ablutions,
- Washing of clothes and animals and
- Dumping of refuse and wastes should be prohibited.
- Ropes and buckets from individual homes should not be used to
draining a supply from the well.
- Water from the well carried in clean sanitary vessels to individual
houses.
- All these requires Health education.
9. Quality
- The physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of water should
conform to the acceptable standards of quality of safe and
wholesome water.
Thank You.