Institute Water for Africa
Welcome to the blog of our NGO, which is passionately committed to sustainable water projects in Africa. Millions of people in Africa have no access to clean drinking water, which has a serious impact on health, education and quality of life.
Our mission is to improve access to clean water in affected communities through adapted technologies and sustainable solutions. In our articles, you can find out more about the progress of our projects, the challenges we face and how you can help us create a better future for the people of Africa.
After just two days of work, it's done: a new 20,000 litre water tank was completed yesterday in Chideza. The tank was delivered during the night and carefully lifted onto the 8.40 metre high steel structure using a crane. From there, the water flows by gravity directly into the nearby fields.
Next, the water pipes will be laid to distribute the water efficiently across the fields. Solar-powered pumps are then installed to ensure a sustainable water supply from the borehole to the tank.
Sustainable irrigation systems like this improve food security and strengthen local agriculture - exactly what we at Institute Water for Africa are committed to.
Thanks to your generous support, we were able to drill two wells for our irrigation project on site from 16 August to 8 September. Our aim is to irrigate five hectares of land - we had originally planned to drill five to six wells for this. But sometimes real miracles happen.
The first borehole produced a flow rate of 1,700 litres per hour - not ideal, but a solid start. In the second borehole, water came out after just nine metres at a rate we had never experienced before. The pumping test confirmed the assumption: at 11,050 litres per hour, this borehole set a new record for our work! To make sure how much the borehole could really do, we worked day and night in shifts. Two teams worked a total of 39 hours, under the burning sun and with great physical effort. It was exhausting, but the success was worth it: this borehole delivers a quantity of water that we could never have dreamed of.
With so much water, the plan changes: we need new measures to fully utilise the potential of this record-breaking well. Specifically, we need:
The donations for the originally planned construction without an intermediate tank have already been received - now we need you to help us meet the additional challenges.
With your support, we can secure the water supply for five hectares of land and give the people of Chideza a real perspective. Our hours of hard work on site were just the beginning - now we need you to complete the project.
Help us and become part of this record-breaking project
Over the last two days, we have carried out extensive pumping tests on two boreholes to measure the performance of the aquifer. We have been working around the clock in order to exact results and to test the maximum possible water release.
We focussed on one particular borehole where an unusually high volume of water was detected during drilling. The drillers estimated the pumping rate of this borehole to be around 4,000 litres per hour. During the pumping tests, we initially started with a flow rate of 4,100 litres per hour and gradually increased the volume to 7,000 and 7,200 litres per hour.
Amazingly, even with a pumping rate of 7,200 litres per hour, we were nowhere near the end of the borehole's capacity. Our pump reached its maximum flow rate here. But we know that the borehole could actually supply even more water. A more powerful pump is already on order to test the full potential of the borehole and determine an exact quantity.
It is already clear that the borehole delivers an exceptionally high volume of water. The production capacity exceeds all expectations and allows us to speak of a true miracle. We need every drop for the irrigation project.
We are staying tuned and will continue testing the new pump to realise the full potential of this borehole.
Over the last two days, we have successfully drilled for groundwater to secure the water supply for irrigation. The strong jet of water during drilling shows that there is sufficient water available. The entire community, from young to old, actively helped with the preparations.
Around 2 tonnes of gravel were sieved and thoroughly washed to remove organic material that could cause rotting. Gravel grains that are too small prevent optimum water flow to the filter pipe, which is why choosing the right material was crucial. We also wrapped the filter pipes with geotextile to prevent sand from entering the pipe and pump. This keeps the borehole and the pump functioning for longer.
Yesterday we successfully completed a comprehensive as-built plan for a 3.9 hectare irrigation area. The optimal positions for three boreholes were determined. The VES (Vertical Electrical Sounding) method was used to precisely determine the drilling locations. The drilling points are positioned in such a way that they do not interfere with each other in order to ensure maximum water extraction.
This morning, the village community of Chideza met to mark the official launch of the irrigation project. This project aims to sustainably improve the food supply and ensure the quality of life of the inhabitants in the long term.
The first step of the project was to define the exact boundary of the field to be irrigated. In addition, all toilets in the project area were recorded to ensure that the water in the catchment area of the boreholes was not contaminated. This important preliminary work was successfully completed in the evening.
After about three weeks of construction and a few short breaks, the project was completed today. The village of Mulungwe now has a well with a solar pump.
Shortly after sunrise, it is supplied with electricity from the installed solar system - until shortly before sunset. During this time, it pumps the water into a 5,000-litre tank. This is located on a ten metre high steel frame. This ensures sufficient pressure in the pipe.
We have built standpipes at three locations, in front of the clinic, on the grounds of the school about 150 metres away and at a crossroads to the market. Many people pass by the crossroads to the market and can get clean water.
About six months ago, we started a hydrogeological survey on the site here in Mulungwe, Zambia.
Today, we have started drilling work for the construction of a water supply system.
By the evening, we had reached a depth of 101 metres. Judging by the jet that comes out of the borehole during drilling, there is enough water.
The clinic on the site, the neighbouring school and the village population are to benefit from this project. Until now, there has been no clean water in Mulungwe.
Today was the first day of a crusade in Rhino Camp, a refugee camp north of Arua. Despite the heavy rain, several hundred refugees showed up. At the end, there was a call for the surrender of life. Many young people gave their lives to Jesus that evening and want to follow him.
The Canadian evangelist Len Lindstrom had come to Uganda at his own expense to support our work.
Another step towards clean water: three days ago we successfully drilled here, today we concreted the bed of the hand pump and installed the hand pump. Now the concrete just has to dry. To prevent it from cracking in the heat, it was covered with banana leaves.
During the concrete work, we organised a WASH seminar in the village. The topics were water and hygiene. Flory Lechabo, Medical Officer, led the seminar.
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