Often times we
(BIOME) are asked to compare the prices of recharge wells quoted by
various well diggers. On speaking with the clients we realise that
they maybe comparing apples to oranges. Apples to oranges – since
the well is not a standardized product but requires and includes
several components and activities. Each well digger has his own
vision of the well and hence his (no women digging wells) costs.
Hence this blog post to know the components and activities that go
into the making of a recharge well. And here we are not speaking of
quality of activities or components – just a plain listing
(BIOME) are asked to compare the prices of recharge wells quoted by
various well diggers. On speaking with the clients we realise that
they maybe comparing apples to oranges. Apples to oranges – since
the well is not a standardized product but requires and includes
several components and activities. Each well digger has his own
vision of the well and hence his (no women digging wells) costs.
Hence this blog post to know the components and activities that go
into the making of a recharge well. And here we are not speaking of
quality of activities or components – just a plain listing
- Soil
excavation. Digging the well. The well is manually dug to the desired
depth. The 2 events that can keep you from getting to the expected
depth are - encountering hard rock
- water inflow/seepage from the side
walls.
This sometimes leads to collapse of the surrounding side
walls. Digging can be continued by either manually removing the water
or pumping out the water – if the safety of the well diggers in not
compromised The size of the hole that is dug is normally about 6” –
8” larger than the size of the external diameter of the rings that
are proposed to be placed. The costs for digging the well normally
increase with increasing depth. An experienced well digger also
normally quotes in a way such that his costs are covered for a
minimum depth – irrespective of circumstances that might hold up
work
- Dumping of excavated soil. This can be quite tricky and
expensive – especially in core areas of Bangalore. If possible try
and find a place close by for dumping. This might not necessarily
result in lowered costs. The soil below 5ft depth is not of a quality
that is good for planting – it can only be used for filling
- Purchase, transportation and placement of rings : Rings of good
quality have to be purchased, brought to site and lowered into the
well one by one
- Aggregates/Jelly in the annular space between the
rings and pit. After lowering every 2 rings the annular space between
the rings and the pit should be tightly filled with jelly. This is so
that the soil around the rings does not collapse
- Well cover with
manhole. The well should be covered on top with an good
quality/sturdy RCC slab so that all accidents are prevented. It is
good for the slab to have a manhole or peep hole so that rainwater
coming into the well as well as flowing out of the well can be
observed. The manhole should have a provision for locking
- Safety
Grille: Increasingly we also encourage provision of a safety grille
placed at about 2-3ft below the top slab. This ensures that no
mishaps occur even if the slab were to give way
So, yes, the final
costs for the well are based on the above. The above elements can be
of varying designs and qualities and that would further impact costs
costs for the well are based on the above. The above elements can be
of varying designs and qualities and that would further impact costs