Question about capturing water from a spring

There's a small creek nearby, I noticed a bit of bubbling, and water coming out of the ground.  Not too much at all, just a gallon or two per minute.  May be a spring.

If so, and it tests as safe, what can I do to capture this water?  Or, at least build some kind of spigot or hydrant so I could fill buckets if need be?

Hey Gary;
So many questions.
How far from the "creek" is this spring?
Any elevation change from the spring to where you would like water?
What about during freezing temps?
Water rites?
Can you get water from the creek itself ?

Now on to your question's
You need a containment to catch your spring water.
Traditionally a concrete catch tank.  A buried line from that to your use point.
Plastic pvc piping can catch "surface" water but you will get a lot of debris in the intake section.
Large enough pvc pipe can move water but you must have an elevation drop.

OR something different
https://www.instructables.com/Spring-Water-Collection-System/

Thank you, thomas and John, for the information, you've made me much smarter on the subject.

Thomas:

>> How far from the "creek" is this spring?
The spring may be smack dab within the creek, surely no more than a few inches from the creek line.  I noticed you put 'creek' within quotation marks, should I have said 'brook' instead?


>> Any elevation change from the spring to where you would like water?
Unfortunately for me, the spring is at low ground.  The water would have to be pumped 30 feet up or so, then 50 feet or so horizontally, to arrive at the ideal place (right beside my porch).


>>What about during freezing temps?
I've never been there in the winter, but I believe nothing freezes over.


>>Water rites?
I need to check, I don't know.


>>Can you get water from the creek itself ?
I could, a bucket at a time.  Small creek, the entire length of which I could step over to the other side without difficulty.

Ok the spring is in a low point, that should not kill the project.
Once you have collected it in a tank it can be pumped to where you want it, either will a small solar system, a small petrol pump or a windmill if you have wind.
Nothing is impossible, it just takes longer to achieve.

Hi Gary,
Could you tell us more about your location or the terrain your in. I love central Virginia, spent some time there awhile back and I know you could be close to a town or quite aways from one. I had my honeymoon on Skyline Drive in West Virginia and will never forget it. God, it was beautiful! Since I have no idea what your area is like I will just offer you this little bit of wisdom. Just, in case.

I lived in Moab, Utah for a few years before I moved to Arizona. It is also high desert country full of amazing brown rock formations, mini mountains and gorgeous desert terrain. Just north of town you'll see the Colorado river and just north of that is the amazing Arches National Park.

Many decades ago someone discovered a natural spring just before you reach the river north of town. It is at the bottom of one of those mini mountains right next to the Colorado. The water was pure and clean and fantastic coming right out of the rock. So, back in the day someone drove a simple pipe right into the rock. For decades people from all over would drive to the spring/pipe and fill up their water jugs. It was a huge tourist thing when I was there. I think this was called the good old days.

But in more recent decades Moab has become well known for everything jeep. 9 months out of the year thousands of jeepers come from everywhere in their vehicles to tear up the desert and have fun doing wild and crazy stunts. It's become a serious problem for them now. These people are tearing up this pristine, amazing place. When I was there 14 years ago a lot of people began to get sick and they realized that the beautiful, natural spring was heavily contaminated! Mostly ecoli as I recall. It seems all those jeepers at the top of that mini mountain, maybe 3-4 hundred feet up would answer the call of nature, as one might do and it filtered down through the rock to the spring. For awhile the department of Parks and Rec.  cordoned it off and eventually had to pull out the pipe and shut it down because it was so contaminated.

So, please take a good look at the overall picture and get the water tested before you spend any money. Hope it works out well for you. Best wishes.

Nobody thought to kick the Jeepers out?

I do apologize for going off topic....

Moab has the same problem that Sedona does. They and we here, are not diversified. Not even a little! They have no farming or manufacturing. They are 100% completely dependent on tourism. 20 years ago they began inviting the jeepers there for the community's income. They advertised to them, welcomed them and celebrated them. They created a monster and they are sorely regretting it now. I go online occasionally and read their local newspaper and they are trying to politely enact some regulations and curb their enthusiasm. But they still want and realistically (for the time being) need those almighty dollars! It's a cautionary tale.... Think things through carefully first and be careful what you wish for!!! Like collecting water from a local spring.

We will now return you to your original programing.