Building Intake Structures

Time Required~5 days depending on design

Materials List

Qty	Item	Notes
	sack of cement	Dependent on final design
	20’ length of 3/8” rebar	Dependent on final design
	16ga wire	For tying rebar. Dependent on design. Sold by the pound
	5-gallon buckets of sand	For concrete mix 1:2:4. Dependent on design.
	5-gallon buckets of gravel	For concrete mix 1:2:4. Dependent on design
2	shovels	For mixing concrete
1	hacksaw	For cutting rebar, PVC
1	hammer	For staking form
2	metal trowel	For concrete work
2	5-gallon bucket	For measuring, storing water for concrete mix
1	3' of 2” or 3” tube	Dependent on final design. Will be cast into intake structure
	wood boards	For formwork.  Dependent on final design

Construction
Construction will vary source to source.  The photos shown below are for a spring with an impermeable clay layer.  Consult A Handbook of Gravity Flow Water Systems for design ideas and construction techniques for other types of catchment.

	This photo series shows the construction of a spring. The spring was excavated down to the impermeable clay layer. All the sand and debris is removed in the area where a catchment wall is poured. Create a dam to divert water away from the spring during construction. If clay is accessible, a thick wall of clay will divert the water.
	After clearing debris when the form will be placed, measure and cut formwork.
	This photo shows the complete form with the 2” pipe running through the form. The tube will be cast into the concrete. The concrete is also reinforced with 3/8” rebar.
	Screens can be placed at the intake to reduce amount of debris entering the intake box.
	A PVC tube with a series of slits cut into the tube makes a cheap filter. This will reduce particulate entering the system to the size of a hacksaw slit.

Here is a photo from a stream catchment intake structure.  The higher wall is to reduce sediment entering the system.