User:
The Spring That Wasn't
Storyboard 
At first, we believed we had a spring on the property. However, we noticed a problem: during the summer months, this supposed spring would dry up. To clarify the situation, we collected a water sample for analysis, which revealed the presence of non-fecal coliform bacteria. This indicated that the water was not coming from a consistent underground source but was instead stagnant water exposed to the environment, allowing organic life to develop.
Ultimately, we discovered that the water was part of the surface runoff collected higher up, which seeped through the soil beneath the road rather than flowing through the drainage system installed by the Department of Public Works (MOP). Therefore, it wasn't a natural spring but rather the result of poorly channeled drainage.
ID:(158, 0)
Water sources
Description
The property features several points where water emerges, each with distinct characteristics. At point 1, the flow is quite significant, while in the other areas (points 2-4), water appears more superficially. In all cases, the water is initially clear, but it becomes turbid upon contact with the local soil.
Points of water emergence [1]
Description of the sources:
| # | Area |
| 1 | "Spring" beneath the road. |
| 2 | Area near the descent to beach level. |
| 3 | Flat area on the lower plain (beach). |
| 4 | Edge of the wetland in the upper section of the property. |
Reference:
[1] Google Earth, September 5, 2020, 9:00 P.M. UTC, Latitude 39°55'40.28"S, Longitude 73°33'21.90"W.
ID:(961, 0)
The "wpring"
Description
At the upper part of the property, there is a "spring"a spot where seemingly crystal-clear water emerges, raising expectations of having a healthy and abundant water source. This spring partially feeds the wetland, although an initial quick measurement showed that it produces about half the water observed further down at the small waterfall before reaching the sea.
The supposed spring on March 12, 2022, weeks after the property was purchased.
A few months later, we estimated the flow rate to be approximately 0.5 liters every 10 seconds, while the lower waterfall registered a flow of 1 liter every 10 seconds. However, a year later, we discovered that the spring dries up during the summer months, raising concerns about its reliability as a water source.
ID:(960, 0)
Water quality
Description
The analysis of water quality conducted at the UACh water laboratory revealed that the water is not as "crystal clear" or "healthy" as initially expected:
Report
Details
Metal Analysis Report
A key finding is the high level of non-fecal coliforms and notable turbidity, despite the water appearing transparent to the naked eye. This indicates a significant presence of microscopic biological material, too small to create visible cloudiness.
The results suggest that the water originates from some type of retention area, where, due to the lack of significant flow, the presence of biological material (plants, microorganisms, etc.), and exposure to sunlight, coliform material has been produced.
This not only presents a challenge for using the water as potable, requiring appropriate filtration, but also raises questions about its origin. It may not be a natural "spring" as initially believed, but rather water that has circulated on the surface, losing the typical characteristics of a true underground source.
ID:(962, 0)
Origin of the "spring"
Description
The water quality is ultimately explained by investigating the area above the supposed spring, where a ditch can be observed alongside the road, designed to collect water.
Water collection on the opposite side of the road
This water is supposed to flow through a pipe installed by the Department of Public Works (MOP) to drain the water gathered around and on the surface of the road. However, instead of flowing through the pipe, the water infiltrates the soil and re-emerges further down, at the upper part of the wetland. In other words, the observed flow comes from this collection system and not from a natural spring.
ID:(963, 0)