Ngasaro is our latest well project. As we took some time to focus on existing well sites for a cost-effective repair and transfer of ownership to new water committees, we were contacted by this village located in the outskirts of Shirati, a growing town of over 100,000 residents near Lake Victoria and the Kenyan border. We had an opportunity to dig a new bore hole that would provide water for over 1,200 people. This project also introduced us to a new contractor, Nyauli Drilling, who came recommended by multiple contacts.

Nyauli was already working in the area, so they were able to start the well in less than a week after we signed the contract. Two days later, they finished digging the bore hole, tested the hand pump, and laid the concrete slab. Soon after, the water was tested for potability. After using the pump for a short while to get rid of the hard water (mostly salt) often found initially with new pumps, the district water engineer confirmed the water was safe and the well could be opened for general use.

The village has raised local funds to build a security fence around the well, which is important to protect the pump from damage and vandalism. As with other communities, the water committee is hiring security that will live near the well site so it can be managed. The security officer is responsible for keeping the well locked when not in use, preventing theft, and keeping track of the individual water users and families who visit the pump each day.

A woman tests the new Ngasaro well pump.