Shallow Wells Field Manual

5. Lay the bricks

The mortar is made with a mixture consisting of 1 part Portland cement, and 4 parts sand.

As the top slab is only one meter diameter, at a certain level depending on the depth of the well you need to be reducing the diameter of the well in order to accomodate the top slab which is only one meter diameter.

MIXING THE MORTAR

Mixing mortar

IMPORTANT: From the 6th layer and up, mortar is used.

Laying bricks in well

First 5 layers are laid without mortar

Mortar is used on the rest of the well.

BACKFILLING WITH CLAY FROM THE ANTHILL

One ox-cart full of anthill clay will be enough for the backfilling of the well. This anthill clay must be partially wetted i.e. it should be loosely held together. Begin backfilling with clay when the well construction is above the water bearing sands. Compact the soil continuously as backfilling is performed.

COBBLING - DECREASE THE DIAMETER OF THE WELL FROM 1.5m TO THE 1.0m DIAMETER OF THE TOP SLAB

Laying bricks near top of well

A double thickness brick pattern is best (headers only)

4 course of bricks are built above the ground level.

Be sure the top is level.

Leveling and plastering top of well

Putting top slab on well

Put top slab on with mortar.

Plaster the outside of the well. Write date, well depth and water depth in the headwall plaster.