Open well digging procedure./Open well excavation process. ~ PARAM VISIONS

Open well digging is carried out in different diameters, usually in the range of 4ft. to 8ft. depending upon the water requirement and groundwater table. Concrete rings were installed after the digging, to stabilize the collapse of the well, and prevent the muddy water from entering the well.

Open well in hard soil.

Now, let us go through some of the procedures we should follow, to dig the open well in the right way.

Open well-digging procedure:

1. At first, we have to find out the water table level in that area by surveying the existing wells in the surrounding location. Averaging out the water depth in the nearby wells gives us the approximate open well-digging depth.

2. Decide the open well diameter according to the water requirement.

3. It is advisable to start well-digging work before the arrival of the rainy season since the groundwater level is at its lowest position.

4. While digging, the diameter of the well should be 160mm. extra as shown in the drawing. The open well diameter shown here is 1200 mm. or 4 ft. ( outside diameter of the concrete ring ), but the digging dimension should be 1360 mm.

5. When the digging work reaches the water table level and when water starts percolating in the open well, we have to carry the excavation work for at least 5 ft. more. The ranges ideally kept are from 5ft to 15ft further below the water table level which works as a safety cushion in the summer season.

6. Now install the first concrete ring, and fill the gap between the soil and the ring (80mm. on all sides) with the gravel and sand mixture, which prevents the entry of muddy water to some extent by filtering them.

4ft. diameter concrete ring.

7. Then again install the second ring in line with the first ring and repeat the above procedure.

We can avoid rings in the area where you encounter non-collapsible type soils like laterite soil and such soft rocks.

8. Build a masonry wall of at least 900 mm. (3 ft.) in height from the ground surface or install concrete rings of larger diameter on the better side.

Note: As you can see in the image given below, the open well is dug in the hard laterite type soil and no concrete ring is placed inside the open well, but the 3 rings of 1ft. depth are placed above the ground level.

open well dug in laterite soil without the concrete ring

9. Cover the top of the open well with the fabricated grill ( see the image below) or with the M.S. mesh. They act as safety features and prevent the falling of children or any type of animal, insects, organic matter like dry leaves, etc inside the well.