How to construct the arch for a hand dug water well:

This article gives advice for arch top type & other Hand Dug Water Wells and the sanitation and maintenance concerns with hand dug water wells.

How to Build a Masonry Arch Over the Dug Well

Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B., Casa Machaya, Oaxaca Bed and Breakfast.

This article describes the process of digging a well to provide usable water and the steps taken to make the well safe and sanitary. We include both technical advice and a description of the practical problems that one must encounter and overcome in providing usable water in an area where public water supply is absent or limited.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The article author, Alan Starkman is a retired Toronto attorney who operates the Casa Machaya bed and breakfast in Oaxaca Mexico. Mr. Starkman has written more than 90 articles about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca, Mexico, and writes here about well digging from a lay person's perspective.

Take a look at the sagging, temporary lift used by the workers to remove stone and soil as the well was being dug (below left) and you will appreciate why expert well builders like to finish the job with a more functional arch over the Dug well opening

. Our masons built a temporary support scaffold over the well opening, then constructed a plywood arch against which a brick arch would be constructed.

Our photos below show the brick arch being completed over the Dug well. Once bricklayer has completed the arch (a couple of days), then he will wait a week or so take off his mold for the arc.

Next we will clean it as best we can, and then proceed. The masonry arc, being secure, will permit me to lower myself into the Dug (really "chiseled") well for an inspection. It will be the first time for me descending 12 meters into the ground

Watch out: never enter a confined space such as a dug well without proper safety precautions, including:

• Do not enter a dug well without first being sure that its construction and well sides are safe, sound, and protected from sudden collapse.
• Do not work alone. Have at least one able-bodied person standing by the entire time.
• Have spare emergency parts, lines, block and tackle at hand should the primary means of raising or lowering the inspector into the well fail.
• Also see Hand Dug Well Safety

Dug Well Safety: Providing a Ground-Level Wall & Well Cover

The brick wall we show constructed around our dug well (photo below left) serves two purposes.

1. Prevent surface run-off from entering the well, improving its sanitation.
   
   This function is particularly important in this example because the well is located on a steep hillside that transports a high volume of runoff during the rainy season.
   
   See details at DUG WELL SANITATION PROTECTION
2. Prevent a child or animal from falling into the well. This safety function would be incomplete without also installing a secure cover on the well (photo, below right).
   
   See details at DUG WELL SAFETY WALLS & COVERS for dug well and well pit safety

...

Continue reading at DUG WELL POTABILITY TEST or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see this

Hand Dug Well Construction Procedure

The links below provide the step by step details of how to dig and construct a hand dug water well.

• HAND DUG WELLS - home
• HAND DUG WELL PROCEDURE
  • SAFETY WARNINGS for WELL DIGGERS
  • BUILD A HAND DUG WELL
  • DECIDING TO DIG a WELL: QUESTIONS
  • CHOOSE WELL LOCATION & DIGGING METHOD
  • BEGIN DIGGING THE WELL
  • SUSPEND DIGGING THE WELL: WET SEASON
  • WELL RINGS: WHEN TO USE or OMIT
  • DUG WELL DEPTH: HOW DEEP IS ENOUGH?
  • DUG WELL WATER QUANTITY: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
  • WELL ARCH: BUILDING
  • WELL SAFETY WALL & COVER
  • DUG WELL POTABILITY TEST
  • DUG WELL SANITATION PROTECTION
• HAND DUG WELL WATER in PHUKET

Suggested citation for this web page

WELL ARCH: BUILDING at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS & SPRINGS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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