2007 GSA Denver Annual Meeting (28–31 October 2007)

Paper No. 6
Presentation Time: 9:35 AM

LOW COST MANUAL WELL DRILLING - APPLICABILITY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD


FITZGERALD, Cathleen M., The Planning Center, 695 Oak Creek Drive, Reno, NV 89511, CFitzger@planningcenter.com

A low cost manual well drilling technique developed by Mr. Terry Waller of Water For All International has proven effective and economical in providing clean water to villagers in developing countries. The manual process is called reverse jetting and the drill rig, well materials, and hand pumps can be made anywhere in the world, using locally available materials. Villagers throughout the world have been trained to install and maintain their own water wells. Over 2,000 wells in eight countries with varied geologic conditions have been drilled to date, including Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Nicaragua. This presentation will describe the drilling process and applicability in different environments, including the coastal areas of Sri Lanka, the arid desert of northern Kenya, and the high plains area of Bolivia. The goal is to empower families, working together with neighbors, to drill their own wells, using local labor and local materials, to make clean water affordable for all.