# Sovereignty Module: Strike the Water

## Complete Well Drilling and Groundwater: From Aquifer to Tap

Access to clean groundwater is foundational to settlement. This campaign covers groundwater science, well types, drilling methods, hand pumps, and water quality testing.

### Chapter 1: Groundwater Basics

| Term | Definition | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Water table | Top of saturated zone | Depth you must reach for water |
| Aquifer | Underground layer that holds/transmits water | Your water source |
| Confined aquifer | Aquifer between impermeable layers | May produce artesian flow |
| Unconfined aquifer | Aquifer with water table as upper boundary | Most common shallow wells |
| Recharge zone | Area where surface water enters aquifer | Protect from contamination |
| Static water level | Water level when not pumping | Determines pump depth |
| Drawdown | Drop in water level during pumping | Determines pump capacity needed |
| Well yield | Gallons per minute produced | Must meet daily needs |

| Indicator | Suggests Water Nearby | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation (willows, cattails) | Shallow water table | Good |
| Low-lying areas, valleys | Water collects | Good |
| Springs nearby | Aquifer outcrop | Very good |
| Neighbor's well depth | Similar geology | Very good |
| Geological maps | Aquifer locations | Excellent |
| Dowsing/divining | Traditional method | Unreliable (no scientific basis) |

### Chapter 2: Well Types

| Well Type | Depth | Diameter | Method | Yield | Cost | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dug well (hand) | 10-30 ft | 3-6 ft | Shovel, pick | Low-moderate | Very low | High (labor) |
| Driven well (sand point) | 15-50 ft | 1.25-2 inch | Hammer pipe into ground | Low-moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Bored well (hand auger) | 15-100 ft | 4-8 inch | Hand or power auger | Moderate | Low-moderate | Moderate |
| Drilled well (rotary) | 50-1,000+ ft | 4-8 inch | Drill rig | High | High | Professional |
| Drilled well (cable tool) | 50-500 ft | 4-8 inch | Percussion drilling | Moderate-high | Moderate | High |
| Spring development | Surface | Variable | Excavation, collection box | Variable | Low | Low-moderate |

Sand point (driven) well: 1) Assemble well point: screened point + pipe sections. 2) Start hole with post-hole digger (2-3 ft). 3) Place well point in hole. 4) Drive with fence post driver or heavy hammer (protect pipe threads with drive cap). 5) Add pipe sections as point goes deeper (thread together). 6) Check for water periodically (pour water down pipe; if it drains away, you've hit water table). 7) Drive 5-10 ft below water table (ensures water during drawdown). 8) Attach hand pump or suction pump. 9) Pump until water runs clear (develop the well). 10) Maximum practical depth: 25 ft for suction pump (physics limit), deeper needs submersible or hand pump.

### Chapter 3: Hand Pumps

| Pump Type | Max Depth | Flow Rate | Difficulty | Maintenance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher pump (suction) | 25 ft | 3-5 GPM | Very low | Low | Very low |
| Deep well hand pump | 200+ ft | 1-3 GPM | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate-high |
| Rope pump | 100+ ft | 1-3 GPM | Low | Low | Very low |
| Bucket and windlass | Any | Slow | Very low | Very low | Very low |
| Solar pump | 200+ ft | 1-5 GPM | Moderate (install) | Low | High |

Rope pump construction: 1) Continuous loop of rope with pistons (rubber washers) every 3 ft. 2) Rope passes through PVC pipe (rising main) inside well casing. 3) Bottom: rope loops around guide wheel. 4) Top: rope loops around drive wheel (hand crank). 5) Turning crank pulls rope up through pipe. 6) Pistons push water up the pipe. 7) Water exits at top through spout. 8) Simple, cheap, effective to 100+ ft depth. 9) Can be built from locally available materials. 10) Used extensively in developing countries.

### Chapter 4: Water Quality

| Contaminant | Source | Health Risk | Test Method | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria (E. coli) | Surface contamination, septic | Gastrointestinal illness | Culture test | Chlorination, UV, boiling |
| Nitrates | Fertilizer, septic, animal waste | Blue baby syndrome | Chemical test | Ion exchange, reverse osmosis |
| Arsenic | Natural geology | Cancer, organ damage | Chemical test | Specialized filters |
| Iron | Natural geology | Taste, staining (not toxic) | Visual (orange staining) | Oxidation + filtration |
| Hardness (calcium/magnesium) | Natural geology | Not harmful (scale buildup) | Test kit | Water softener |
| Lead | Old pipes, solder | Neurological damage | Chemical test | Replace pipes, filter |
| Turbidity | Sediment, clay | Indicates contamination risk | Visual | Settling, filtration |

Well protection: 1) Locate well uphill from septic systems, animal areas, chemical storage. 2) Minimum distances: 50 ft from septic tank, 100 ft from drain field, 100 ft from animal yards. 3) Well casing must extend 12+ inches above ground. 4) Seal annular space (gap between casing and hole) with grout or bentonite. 5) Grade ground away from well (surface water drains away). 6) Well cap must be watertight (no insects, animals, surface water entry). 7) Test water annually (bacteria, nitrates at minimum). 8) Chlorinate well if bacteria detected (shock chlorination).

### Chapter 5: Well Maintenance

| Task | Frequency | Purpose | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water testing | Annually | Detect contamination | Lab test (bacteria, nitrates) |
| Pump inspection | Annually | Prevent failure | Check operation, seals, pressure |
| Well cap inspection | Quarterly | Prevent contamination | Check seal, screen, condition |
| Flow rate check | Annually | Detect declining yield | Time to fill known container |
| Shock chlorination | As needed (bacteria detected) | Kill bacteria | Pour chlorine solution, flush |
| Pump replacement | 10-20 years | Worn components | Replace pump or rebuild |

### Reference Card

1. Protect the wellhead (the most common source of well contamination is surface water entering at the top; seal it). 2. Distance from contamination (minimum 100 ft from septic drain fields, animal yards, and chemical storage). 3. Suction pumps max at 25 ft (atmospheric pressure limits suction to about 25 ft; deeper wells need different pumps). 4. Test annually (bacteria and nitrates at minimum; contamination can develop without visible signs). 5. Sand point wells are DIY (a driven well point is the simplest well to install; works in sandy/gravelly soil to 50 ft). 6. Develop the well (pump heavily after installation to clear fine sediment; this improves flow and water clarity). 7. Rope pumps work everywhere (simple, cheap, maintainable with local materials; effective to 100+ ft). 8. Groundwater is filtered by earth (water that has passed through soil and rock is usually cleaner than surface water; but always test).