Design & Implementation Scope: The project began with an assessment of an exposed sand seam seep to determine the feasibility of collecting the water to use for potable and non-potable use cases. After delivering our report along with a best-case plan for tapping the seep, we were invited back to install the collection system.

Site Description: The spring is located high above the main points of use, and provides ample opportunity for providing cold, clean water to multiple residence sites on the property. The dominant feature of the spring site is an exposed layer of compacted sand that seeps water along its entire exposed length of ~45′. Prior to our arrival an excavator had been brought in and a deep track cut into the seep, which bifurcated the flow from the sand seam into two separate avenues. The spring is surrounded by mature oak woodland, giant sycamores and willows, and had a range of water-loving vegetation growing around the hydrated edges and in the deep, anaerobic muddy sections. The seep area itself has suffered significant amounts of wash out of the water-bearing sand layer, due to multiple digging efforts over the years in an attempt to identify point sources of water.

Installation: The installation was challenging given the fragility of the native sand seam material and the ease with which it could wash out. Work was slow and heavy due to the very deep mud (thigh deep in places). However, the flow did stabilize and even increase slightly following installation of the collection wall and filter package. The final system was measured to be collecting ~ 2,300 gallons per day of cold, clear water that will be stored in a 2,500 gallon tank located ~200 feet away from the seep.