HAND DUG WELLS

The GOL Ministry of Local Goverment (MLG) will implement the project in two phases (pilot and expansion) with assistance from the Peace Corps (PC). During the project"s first year or pilot phase, activities will be tested and developed in three counties. Three four-person teams will survey isolated villages of 40-400 inhabitants each during the 3-month long wet season, a period unsuitable for well digging. Team leaders will visit approximately 40 villages apiece and will hold discussions with village leaders. Interested villages will be required to contribute building materials and well sites for the construction effort. Villagers will also be informed as to the importance and use of clean water. Community efforts to support well construction will be organized and sites for new wells will be surveyed. Well construction at cooperating villages will begin with the dry season. The teams will provide each village with basic hand tools, reinforcing bar, cement, and culvert forms. Villagers will provide and pay for any additional well-diggers. The dug wells will be 40-50 feet deep, with an underground reservoir constructed from culverts. At each well site, a standardized pump will be installed and a platform/runoff structure will be constructed. Prior to pump installation, the teams will test each well"s water quality. At least 10 MLG personnel will be trained in water quality testing and well maintenance. A member of each village will be taught simple well maintenance techniques by Peace Corps volunteers. Each county will have access to spare parts, and maintenance support will be provided by annual visits from a water unit technician. The MLG will provide emergency maintenance as needed. Phase two, years two and three, will extend the project to an additional three counties. In all, approximately 260 wells will be dug. Villagers will assume maintenance and operation costs for completed wells. A total of 46,000 villagers will benefit from access to clean water.