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Commonly Asked Questions About Springs - Minnesota Dept. of Health Page lof3 Well Management Commonly Asked Questions About Springs Springs and spring water have long been a source of fascination and Intrigue. In ancient times philosophers and scientists erroneously believed that springs were formed when saltwater from the oceans moved In tunnels under the land, was purified, and raised to the land surface. Springs were often considered mysterious and are a subject of considerable folklore. A Roman architect named Vltruvlus proposed the theory accepted today. He speculated that springs were fed by rainfall and snowmelt that soaked Into the ground and reemerged at another location. Since then, numerous studies have confirmed Vitruvlus's theory. .In more recent times, springs have been used for public bathing facilities, public water supplies, private water supplies, and watering livestock. Springs In Minnesota have been used for domestic water for farm houses, milk houses, barns, and livestock tanks. What is a Spring? A spring occurs when groundwater appears at the land surface. Springs occur In various forms and are classified by the rock type In which the spring occurs, how the spring was formed, how much water flows from the spring, the temperature of the water, and If the water flow varies from season to season. Some springs may fall Into more than one classification. Classifications of Springs ARTESIAN SPRINGS occur when the groundwater, under pressure, finds Its way to the land surface (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 The spring flows because the pressure II' the aquifer (w~ter bearing soli or rock), which Is covered by a confining layer (day or other Impervious material), Is greater than atmospheric pressure at the land. A spring Is formed when the water reaches the surface through a fracture or porous layer. These types of springs usually occur along faults (a fracture In the earth), or In areas of great topographic relief such as cliffs or valleys. GRAVITY SPRINGS are formed by water soaking Into the ground until the water encounters a confining layer that will not let the water seep further down (Fig. 2). The water then flows across the top of the confining layer until It reaches thegroulidsurface. Examples of gravity springs are springs found In hillsides or cliffs. The http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/ehlwells/waterquality/springs.html 217/2007