Anatomy of a Borehole

What is a “borehole”?

Our friend and technical adviser, David Bell, has written a concise and easy-to-grasp explanation for all of you wondering “what exactly is a borehole? And how does it work?” Feel free to show off your new knowledge to friends at the next social gathering. Enjoy!
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FIGURE 1
Pump head assembly at top of well


Across Northern Uganda where ClearWater operates, borehole wells are the most reliable and secure source of clean water for people. These simple and inexpensive technologies have revolutionized the way people in developing countries access water.

Borehole wells allow people to tap into groundwater that is not accessible from the surface. as well as minimize the interaction of that water with surface pollutants by keeping it in a closed system until it reaches the tap.

Borehole hand pumps use human power and mechanical physics to move water in a one-way direction using a system of suction and discharge valves. The most common model of pump used in the region is the Mark II hand pump originally manufactured in India. A few of the major components of the Mark II are:

The Handle Assembly – This is a long lever, which is connected to a piston in the pump that draws water up to the tap. A longer hand lever can more efficiently draw water from a deeper well with fewer strokes.

The Water Tank Assembly – This houses many of the mechanical components of the well, including the pump-lever chain, upper connecting rods, and tap assembly.

Connecting Rods and Riser Pipe – These pieces usually come in 10 feet sections and are threaded with male and female ends to allow for variable well depths. Connecting rods are attached to the pump and drive the pistons, which draw water. Riser pipes are usually six-inch diameter pipes that convey water up to the tap.

Pump Cylinder – This is the main pump, which is set in the aquifer deep underground. The depth that a pump is set is based on the desired yield rates. A minimum yield of 1-2 cubic meters per hour is usually targeted. One cubic meter is equal to 264 gallons.


FIGURE 2
Pump cylinder at bottom of well

How boreholes break down:
Unfortunately hand pumps, like anything mechanical, tend to break down after improper use, neglect and just plain overuse. Long-term maintenance of rural water wells therefore has become the most challenging task for water aid groups. Which is why Clearwater contractors work with recipients to educate them to proper maintenance schedules.

Common mechanical well problems include:
• Broken handle assembly that is no longer properly connected to the chain and connecting rods
• Loose mechanical components in water tank assembly
• Loss of suction in the pump
• Riser pipes become corroded and dislodged
• Cracked pedestal and well riser, which can create unsanitary conditions inside the well

How boreholes can be maintained:
Ideally a well is regularly checked and maintained by a trained pump operator, whose duties are to make sure major breakdowns do not occur, which could severely interrupt service.

A typical schedule of maintenance could involve the following:

Daily
Monitor pump operation
Maintain pump and area cleanliness
Maintain drainage of wastewater
Educate users on proper pump use and receive comments

Weekly
Lubricate moving parts
Check tightness of nuts and bolts
Check security of pump on pedestal

Monthly
Check output rate
Check for condition of concrete apron

Yearly
Raise pump cylinder from well for inspection and replace parts where necessary
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Getting it right...the water committee

The hardest part is the follow-up visit. $1,000, $2,500, $4,000 might not seem like a lot of money, but in these villages where a house costs around $150, the price of a borehole repair or protected spring is far above what these villages can afford in one lump sum. So when we put projects together, we know the importance of creating a village water committee to maintain the project after construction. A good committee will collect enough funds to cover maintenance costs, ensure the area around the project remains clean and conduct minor follow-up maintenance (dredging the canal, repairing a broken fence, etc.).

The bad ones, well, don't. Animals roam in, out and around the water source contaminating it; drainage canals stagnate, forming algae; and women wash their clothes near the water source. Simply what was once a source of life has become the breeding grounds for diarrhea, worms and snails that carry bilharzia. Disease is all to quick to come.

When you arrive upon a site that gets it -- that understands that the spring or well is theirs and it must be maintained -- its comforting. We have spent the past few days visiting our sites as well as projects developed by other NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Getting it right, working with the local community in everything from site selection to water committee follow-up is just as important as getting a hole in the ground. That hole needs little follow-up to maintain it, clean water that comes from it, however, does.

Pictures by Jake, words by Dave. (Apookeni, Oboko and Eyame Villages, Lira District)

Gulu District

We arrived in Gulu yesterday bearing gifts, fruits of our travels --mangoes to be exact--picked up from the roadside stand along our drive north. We are staying with the very kind and generous Father Joseph Okumu, of the Catechists Training Center on the edge of town. David (rightly) thought it would be respectful and proper to greet our hosts at dinner with a small gift. He presented the bag of mangoes we picked up en route. Turns out the catechists grounds are covered in mango trees, which loudly drop their large, ripe fruits to the ground. (It sounds like a basketball crashing through tree limbs.) So, turns out, they’re already well supplied on mangoes. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

Today, Father Joe set up a number of important meetings for us, with individuals who took our calls largely because of his highly respected company and influence. We are very grateful for his friendship and his willingness to help Clearwater Initiative. Thank you, Father Joe.

The photos from today show David and I in meetings, and in front of the District offices with Chairman Norbert Mao. Mao was very receptive to Clearwater’s work in the region and has offered his support when we need further information on water projects in the region and in providing contacts whom can advise us in choosing the ones best fit for Clearwater Initiative.

What we know is the water needs of post-conflict Northern Uganda are changing. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) are now returning to their villages in light of the improved security environment. The North is beginning to shift focus from crisis management to development, which is an encouraging sign for the Acholi people, who have suffered through over 20 years of civil war, disruption, and displacement. Chairman Mao said today that disease prevention is key and that “access to clean water [can address] fifty percent of our health issues.” This is why the work of Clearwater is so vital; and why local officials are enthusiastic about the work we can provide.

It seems like everyone here has a connection to the conflict. The story of the driver who ferried us back to our lodging this evening was a reminder of how pervasive the war was in this region. He is a 22-year-old war orphan who dropped out of school to support himself and his family. The family collects their daily water with jerry cans from a borehole. The capability of these individuals to carry on is a testament to their strength and courage. I am thankful for the sharing of their stories and emboldened to press on with our work in their honor.

-Posted by Jake Herrle