What happens when plastic tubing, hand augers and advanced satellite imagery meet?

Globally, 780 million people struggle to survive each day without access to safe water, according the latest United Nations data.  It’s a huge problem that slows down economies, makes children and adults sick and even leads to a high number of child deaths from preventable diseases like diarrhoea. But when it comes to finding solutions, sometimes it’s as simple as the materials you find at any local hardware store or as complex as high-tech remote satellite imaging.

World Vision and Water4 Foundation are working together to establish locally-managed drilling teams in-country that can be trained and equipped to drill water wells by hand, at a fraction of the cost of wells drilled by one of those expensive, heavy-duty truck-mounted drill rigs. Locals can also be trained to fabricate their own pumps from standard PVC pipes and fittings available in any hardware store, or even in the open-air markets – pumps which cost a mere fraction of the standard stainless steel pumps in use around the globe.

With low-cost, innovative drilling expertise, equipment and supplies, these crews can form small businesses and continue drilling and installing these plastic pumps on a contract basis long after the project ends, at prices many communities can afford on their own.  What's more, these patented pumps don't require any maintenance because they operate on a different principle from the standard design (displacement vs suction), and when they do fail after years of reliable service, they can be replaced for far less money than it costs to maintain the typical hand pump. This means that not only will those water points be sustainable for the long term, but local business opportunities and jobs will be created where these are so desperately needed. 

The drills resemble simple hand augers made of a square pipe with two wrench-like tools attached for handles, and interchangeable drill bits that vary depending on the type of soil and rock formations.  Then there’s a tripod that works like a plumb line to make sure the drill is going straight down. As the well deepens, additional lengths of square pipe are bolted into place as needed, to a maximum depth of 150 feet. All of this fits into a couple of bags that can be thrown on the back of a truck, transported by bus or even a couple of motorbikes!  Once the water is reached, the well casings and pumps are installed and fastened firmly into place.  The casings are simply large diameter plastic pipes joined end to end.  The pumps are made of standard white PVC pipes, valves and joints glued together with ordinary PVC cement, and can be assembled at home or on site in just a few minutes.  For someone who is already familiar with these materials, it’s just a couple hours of training and they’re ready to go. 

The Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada is also part of the partnership. DRI uses satellite imagery that captures light in different wave lengths to measure surface temperature and identify specific types of vegetation that serve as clues to the presence of underground water.  These photos, plus a host of other on-the-ground electronic and magnetic readings, are used to create detailed maps that tell the drilling crews where they are likely to strike water.  All the data is put into the computer, which generates a 3-D image showing where the water is, how deep it is and what type of soil the crews have to drill through to get to it. By utilizing the latest technology, Water4 and World Vision can ensure a greater success rate by identifying prime well locations before beginning to drill.   

By leveraging the strengths of partnership with these organizations and the strength of the local community, the cost per well is significantly reduced, allowing for an even greater reach.  Initial plans are for one million people in six countries to have the benefit of clean water over the next five years using this technology.