GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT FOR PORTABLE WATER SUPPLY

GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT FOR PORTABLE WATER SUPPLY

A CASE STUDY OF A SUBMISSIBLE WELL PUMP

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the occurrence, circulation and movement of water below the surface of the earth. Geohydrology has an identical connotation, and ideology differs only by its greater emphasis on geology. Utilization of ground water dates from ancient time, although an understanding of the occurrence and movement of subsurface water as part of the hydrologic circle has come only relatively recently. The result of this research has shown the case of inadequate potable water in circulation and it has suggested possible ways of addressing the situation of which one of the suggestion is that a well should be dug deeply, case it, cements it and so on.       

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

 1.1   HISTORICAL BACK GROUND AND GROUND WATER THEORIES

Groundwater development dates from primordial times, the Old Testament contains numerous references to groundwater, springs, wells and dug wells, groundwater in primordial times were supplied from horizontal wells known as Quanats.  Also submersible pumps were used in the supply of groundwater. Shown in fig 1.0 typically, a sloping tunnel dug through alluvial material leads water by gravity flow beneath the water table at its upper end to a ground.

A figure of a submersible pump at its lower end with vertical shafts dug at closely spaced intervals provides access to the tunnel. A submersible pump (or sub pump, electric submersible pump) is a device which has a hermetically sealed motor close-coupled to the pump body. The whole assembly is submerged in the fluid to be pumped. The main advantage of this type of pump is that it prevents pump cavitations, a problem associated with a high elevation difference between pump and the fluid surface. Submersible pumps push fluids to the surface as opposed to jet pumps having to pull fluids. Submersibles are more efficient than jet pumps.

1.2   SCOPE

Groundwater referred to without specification is commonly understood to mean water occupying all the voids within geologic stratum.  This saturated zone should be distinguished from an unsaturated, or aeration zone where voids are filled with water and air. Water contained in saturated zone is important for engineering work, geologic studies and water supply development consequently, the occurrence of water in these zones will be emphasized here.  Unsaturated zone are usually found above saturated zones and extend to the ground surface. Because this water includes soil moisture within the root zone, it is a major concern for agriculture, binary, and soil science. No rigid demarcation of water between the two zones is possible, for they possess an interdependent boundary and water can move from owe zone to the other in either direction. The interrelationships are described more in some higher hydrogeology texts.

1.3   AIM AND OBJECTIVES

• The aim of this project is to identify the various methods and techniques of groundwater exploration
• The study will produce a data that will help in determining the quality of the groundwater sample
• Analysis of groundwater and comparison with the WHO standard.

1.4   GROUNDWATER THEORIES

Utilization of groundwater significantly preceded understanding of its origin, occurrence, and movement. The writing of Greek philosophers to explain origins of springs and groundwater contain theories ranging from vision to nearly correct accounts.  As late as the seventeenth century it was generally assumed that water emerging from springs could not be derived from rainfall, for it was believed that the quantity was inadequate and the earth  too impervious to permit penetration of rain water for below the surface.  Thus, early Greek philosophers such as Homer, Thates and Plato hypothesized that springs were formed by seawater.  Conducted through subterranean channels below the mountains, then Aristotle suggested that air enters cold dark caverns under the mountains where it condenses into water and contributes to spring. The Greek theories persisted through the middle ages with no advances until the end of the Renaissance. The French Philosopher Bernard Palissy (1510 – 1589) reiterated the infiltration theory in 1580, but his teachings were generally ignored.  The German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630) was a man of strong imagination, who likened the earth to a huge animal that takes in water of the ocean, digests and assimilates it, and discharges the end products of these physiological processes as groundwater and springs.  The seawater theory of the Greeks, supplemented by ideas of vaporization and condensation processes within the earth, was restated by the French Philosopher Rene’ Descartes (1596 – 1650).

A clear understanding of the hydrologic cycle was achieved by the latter part of the seventeenth century for the first time theories were based on observations and quantitative data.

1.5 RECENT CENTURIRES

 During the eighteenth century fundamentals in geology were established that provided a basis for understanding the occurrence and movement of groundwater.  During the first half of the nineteenth century many artesian wells were drilled in Nigeria stimulation interest in groundwater. The French hydraulic engineer Henry Darcy (1803 – 1858), studied the movement of water through sand. His treatise of 1856 defined the relation, now known as Darcy’s law, governing groundwater flow in most alluvial and sedimentary formations.  Later European contributions of the nineteenth century emphasized the hydraulics of groundwater development. Considerably contributions were made by J. Boussineq, G.A. Daubree, J. Dupuru and A. Thiem. In the twentieth century, increased activity in all phases of groundwater hydrology has occurred. Many Europeans have participated with publications of either specialized or comprehensive works.  There are too many people to mention them all, but R. -Dachler, E. Imbeaux K. Keihack is best known. Nigeria contributions to groundwater hydrology date from near the end of the nineteenth century.  In the past 90 years, tremendous advances have been made.  Important early theoretical contributions were made and professional consulting firms specializing in water resources and the advent of the digital computer have jointly produced a competence for development and management of groundwater resources that was nonexistent hereto fore.