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Tubewells

Tubewells are only suitable for use in areas with high water tables as the water is drawn up by a self priming surface mounted pump. A Tubewell consists of a solid steel point welded onto a perforated steel tube and lengths of galvanised screwed tube.

After installation we develop the well using compressed air to lift the debris that may have entered the well during driving and clearing fine silt and sand that may block the water inlet holes. Once the suction tube is installed the Tubewell should be pumped to waste until the water runs clear.

Having tried many different variations of size and connection methods over the years we now standardise on a 2” Tubewell with a 32mm MDPE Pipe to provide an easily replaceable suction tube and connected via a special compression seal and non return valve to a self priming jet pump system to provide an on demand water supply. If the water is to be used as a drinking water supply we would recommend the inclusion of at least one sediment filter and a UV treatment system (link to UV section of website)

The final part of the Tubewell installation is to take a sample of the water and send it to a lab for a simple bacteriology test to confirm it is safe to drink and there are no harmful bacteria present (ie coliforms or ecoli).

If you live in an area suitable for a Tubewell installation it can provide a simple and cost effective way to provide water, whether it be for irrigation or drinking.

FACT

Also known as Abyssinian Tubewells or Driven Tubewells, they were first brought into service to provide water for British troops in the eastern lowlands of Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia) during their campaign in 1867 – hence the name ‘Abyssinian Tubewells‘.Allsebrook was granted a sole agency for the system in the early 1900’s and one of their first Tubewells contracts was to install them along the banks of the River Thames for providing water to the lock keepers cottages.

In the early days Tubewells were driving in using a ‘Monkey’ or driving hammer, these days we use an electric powered jack hammer to speed up the process. As the Tubewell is driven into the ground additional lengths of screwed steel Pipe are added and drive in until the required depth is achieved.