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Constructing a Well in Remote Africa:
Many things are considered before choosing what type of well system will be installed and what equipment will be used to drill the well. Some of these items are fairly straight forward: depth to water source, amount of water in the water source, and soil conditions. In addition to these, some of the factors that affect how the well is dug have nothing to do with the well itself. Availability of items such as transportation, power, and fuel can also play a significant role in determining how the wells will be constructed.
Available Water
WellSpring Missions is currently working in an area of South Sudan that is near the River Zareff, a second channel of the White Nile. Even though this river flows year around, it is not safe to drink without water treatment. Fortunately, the river system and the annual rainy season contribute to the aquifer that contains a natural source of purified drinking water. The aquifer is comprised of sand and rock that is 20-30 feet thick and is located anywhere from 100 and 150-feet beneath the surface. Above this water aquifer is soil, referred to locally as black cotton.
Infrastructure
The area of South Sudan we are currently serving does not have roads or motorized vehicles. This eliminates the possibility of using a truck with a powerful drill rig to dig the wells. There is also no electrical grid in the area that we are serving, requiring all of the pumps we use to be manually operated. There are also no pump suppliers or hardware stores within a reasonable distance for traveling to stock spare parts. Because of the conditions we are working in, the pumps we use are very simple, very durable, have few moving parts, and are easy to repair.
Drill Rigs
Due to the local conditions described above, WellSpring Missions is utilizing 10 HP mobile drills rigs similar to the one pictured here. It is light and mobile enough that a few people can move this rig from one well site to another. When the rig is needed in another village, it is light enough to be loaded on a boat and transported up and down the river. Once all of the pits are dug and the site is set up, these rigs are capable of drilling a 150-foot deep hole in a couple of days.
Pumps and Wellhead
The pumps and wellhead used are similar to pumps that have been used for hundreds of years all over the world. The one pictured here is one that has been installed in Old Fangak, South Sudan. It only has a few moving parts, and can be repaired in less than a day. In addition, all of the parts are inexpensive and are stocked locally.
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