Project

Wamirongo Borehole - replaced by St. Joseph Primary School

Uganda 1050 beneficiaries Wakiso

Project Complete!

The three facilities in Busukuma rely on a borehole well that now sits in partial disrepair. A borehole well is a simple hand pump well that typically ranges from 30 to 250 ft deep.
Even though this mechanical pumping system is the most common method of water delivery across Africa, the wells include so many moving parts and endure so much natural wear and tear that many fall into disrepair after only a couple of years of regular use. Additionally, many broken boreholes in Uganda use cheap galvanized pipes, which are not only prone to corrosion and rupture (leading to untenable ongoing costs for replacement after replacement), but also have been known to leak heavy metals into the drinking water. By bringing in our crew to repair the broken parts of the Wamirongo Borehole, upgrading its materials to stainless steel, and working with the community's leaders to train them in how to care for it, we will fix the primary water source for 1050 people and prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.
PROJECT PROPOSAL:
The Ugandan Water Project, our implementing partner, will disassemble the existing hand pump, pull pipes from the borehole with the help of volunteer community labor, and take well depth measurements to determine the static water level and the borehole depth. After depth measurements are taken, the borehole is developed by removing any build-up which may have been inhibiting borehole recharge. Using the compressor and lengths of hose, air will be forced into the borehole, displacing and blowing out water, silt, and any debris that has accumulated over time. After the borehole is blown out, UWP will lower the cylinder, first pipe, and first rod into the borehole. A leak test will be completed by filling the entire first pipe with water and checking for water loss. The remaining pipes and rods will be placed in the hole with the help of community labor and after all pipes and rods are lowered, a member of the UWP crew will assemble the pump head.

Project Sponsors

Centennial Middle School

Lino Lakes, MN
September 16, 2022

Safe Water for St. Joseph

Thank you for bringing safe water to St. Joseph Primary School, Namayamba, Uganda!

A borehole well is a simple hand pump well that typically ranges from 30 to 250 ft deep....

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