Spring box

[bannerd]

I'm building a spring box and was planning to use concrete blocks. I was told not to use the cinder blocks as they're toxic and will pollute the water. I'm building a 5Wx5Lx6H box and will be used to trap a natural spring. The cinder blocks will be filled with concrete and reed bar to improve the mass.

What do you all think? I'm hoping to utilize the water as drinkable water.

 

[readhead]

Toxic concrete block? Sounds a little fishy. I think we would all be dead by now if that were the case.

 

[bannerd]

Sounds a little fishy. I think we would all be dead by now if that were the case.

Yeah, that is what I thought. I guess the saying "Do it then ask questions later" holds up.

 

[rburke65]

Have you tried Google? I don't even know what is a spring Box.

 

[Kevin54]

Toxic concrete block? Sounds a little fishy. I think we would all be dead by now if that were the case.

If it is truly a cinder block, then it can be toxic as a cinder block is made from fly ash or bottom ash. It is produced from coal fired plants and is the ash residue that is left. So they may very well be toxic.

 

[readhead]

There may be fly ash in the concrete in your garage floor also. What about concrete cisterns for potable water. Water running off of sidewalks would effect ground water.

I'm stopping now. This is going to go downhill fast.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Sounds like Bullship to me,.....

That said, a 6' diameter length of galvanized culvert would work Great,...

 

[readhead]

But that has zinc on it. Will that hurt me?

 

[aptdweller]

In all seriousness, fly ash in cinderblocks is unlikely to pose the most significant threat to your health. If it does concern you, why not have a sample of the stream tested? That would let you know whether any other steps need to be taken to mitigate any quality issues there.

To avoid the issue entirely, can you cast your own concrete structure?

 

[Bronson]

I would be more concerned about the reed bar.

 

[gungatim]

If it is truly a cinder block, then it can be toxic as a cinder block is made from fly ash or bottom ash. It is produced from coal fired plants and is the ash residue that is left. So they may very well be toxic.

ayuh, I tried to buy cinder blocks once and got laughed at. I don't believe they have been made in a very long time. modern blocks are cement blocks, as I was sternly lectured by the suppliers I called...

 

[bannerd]

ayuh, I tried to buy cinder blocks once and got laughed at. I don't believe they have been made in a very long time. modern blocks are cement blocks, as I was sternly lectured by the suppliers I called...

Yeah, Lowes and HD sell "cement" they don't sell cinder.

 

[Grimpala]

I believe the correct term is CMU, Concrete Masonry Unit.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I guess I will have to go look up what a spring box is.
There was a spring that was on a piece of property that I used to hunt on. Some one had put 3 pieces of concrete culvert on top of each other and had drilled a small hole into the side where they had a pvc pipe to carry the water to their cabin. The water would fill the pipe up and then pour over the top, but the head of water gave them water pressure to the cabin.

 

[nh_yota]

How about using a section of corrugated well casing or culvert?

 

[Jon_E]

It may be beyond your budget, but I would consider using a piece of 4' diameter culvert installed vertically, or several "well tiles" which look like concrete culvert pieces about 3' long. The idea of using concrete blocks is OK, you will not get poisoned by them, but it's a lot of work.

 

[48fordnut]

well now you seem to know what a spring box is.

 

[bczygan]

http://inspectapedia.com/water/Spring_Box_Construction.php

 

[NUTTSGT]

It may be beyond your budget, but I would consider using a piece of 4' diameter culvert installed vertically, or several "well tiles" which look like concrete culvert pieces about 3' long. The idea of using concrete blocks is OK, you will not get poisoned by them, but it's a lot of work.

If you can find one that has a little bit of damage, this might the best idea. Your biggest issue will be getting it to your site and unload/set in position