Procedures:

• Before digging, federation should sign land use permit agreement with owner(s) of the land where the spring is located. This permit protects federation in the future and secures compensation for the owner(s).
• Latrine coverage in the Kebele should be checked, no constructions will begin without à 90% coverage.
• Community mobilization is key for an efficient digging.
• During rainy season soil can easily slide when vegetation is removed, so they should consult Scheme admin and woreda construction experts

First step is to locate precisely the point where the water is coming out of the ground.

Then the area surrounding the spring must be cleared to create a suitable working area (at least 5m all around the point located above). Trees, bushes, crops, grass must be removed.

Site clearing

Dig a 50cm wide evacuation canal for the water, depth should be defined according to flow. This allows the sediments to evacuate outside of the digging zone. There should be no stagnant water during the digging.

Start digging a trench from the located point towards the slope. Remove all the rocks and regularly unclog the evacuation canal.

The spring excavation shall be done carefully not to disturb the spring eyes. The excavation continues from bottom to upward following the water until spring eyes outlet are well defined.

Keep on digging following incoming water locations. It might come out of several places, widen the trench accordingly.

When there is side flow, to minimize the excavation, side excavation recommended. Excavate from bottom to top

Example of finished side digging (T trench)

The preliminary digging is finished when you reach hard strata and approach the eyes of the spring (points where you can see the water coming above the ground).

At this point The Woreda construction experts have to be consulted to support the community by giving orientation and guidance on how the community finish the excavation and the eyes clearance.