We’re thrilled to report that Vox will begin implementing a special deep-well project this month to give two water-critical communities in northern Mozambique clean drinking water. A small team from Vox visited these villages two years back and began working on a viable solution. A drill rig was brought in prior and three boreholes were drilled at 100+ meters. Each hole tested positive for clean water. The challenge was to install a pump system that could effectively lift water that deep and work long-term.
Most endorsed hand pumps can effectively raise water up to 45 meters (147 feet); these boreholes are over 100 meters deep. We needed an alternative solution.
The Challenges
- The depth: most hand pumps in Mozambique can’t effectively lift water from depths over 100 meters
- The search: finding a pump to handle the load and go the distance
- The approval: all well pumps must be endorsed by the National Water Policy
- The location: extremely rural, remote villages
- The training: the well mechanics must learn how to maintain a whole new pump system for sustainability
- The supply channel: making sure parts are available when repairs are needed
After a thorough search, we identified an innovative deep-well pump that would do the job. The pump was introduced and adopted into the national water policy. Since then, in addition to other projects, we’ve chiseled away at securing the financial resources to bring in a specialized team from Maputo (Mozambique) to oversee the installation and host well-specific training for local mechanics.
It’s very moving to know that these people who have struggled for years are finally getting the clean water they deserve. The project is slated to be finished by the end of June 2015; and a minimum of 7,500 people will benefit from the new access points.