Project 2: Orkoilili
Some summary data of the project
Chronology
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March 2015 Survey
October-November 2015 Drilling, pump test 24 hours
March-april 2016 Installation manual pump
Construction lavatory and
Construction protective enclosure
April 2016 Inauguration of site
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September 2016-April 2017 Construction water tank 35'000 L
Purchase and installation motorized
pump and 30 solar pannels
April 2017 Inauguration of site
Details
Beneficiaries ​ 4'472 personnes
Drill depth 126 m
Water flow 18'000 L/h
Project's total cost 44'670.- CHF
Participation Jack Guberan's Foundation 25'000.- CHF
Survey Hydrogéological Unit Internal Drainage Basin Water Office Singida
Drilling Company Ardhi Water Wells, Dar es Salaam
The project in pictures
Phase I - drilling - October-November 2015
The drilling site of the Orkoilili project is near the Maasai dwellings, 4 km from the village of Lengatei. The road is not easily accessible. In order to ensure that the trucks can pass, the road must be cleared and the tops of the trees cut. The community is there to help.
The trucks arrive on the road that leads to the drilling point
At times, the sandy ground needs to be prepared so that the trucks do not sink into the sand. We put branches and pieces of wood on the path that the trucks will take
First attempt to pass...almost!
We reinforce the passage by adding branches and we try again. This time it passes!
The drill is positioned at the exact point highlighted a few months earlier during the field study (survey)
Krysia Cinelli, president of Elewa-Africa, with Fadhili Magogwa, local engineer supervising the work.
Drilling can begin.
The construction site seen from far
Samples are taken every 3.5 m and are, according to the engineers, very promising
Suddenly the water begins to gush, gently at first
Then strongly
Felix, the engineer who carried out the field survey, exults, because the flow seems important
Phase II - placement of PVC tubes and introduction of gravel - October-November 2015
On the site, Maasai of all ages come to observe what is happening on the site
The PVC tubes should now be placed in the borehole, making sure to put those with slots at the different levels where there is water
In order for the tubes to remain in place, we introduce gravel
Phase III - borehole cleaning (flush) - October-November 2015
When the PVC tubes are in place, it is time to clean the borehole. For this purpose, a pipe connected to the drill is introduced to the bottom, and compressed air is injected in order to remove any residues.
Phase IV - 24-hour test - October-November 2015
In order to be able to establish the exact flow rate of the drilled point, a temporary motorized pump is installed in the borehole. It is run for 24 hours, measuring the flow rate and the decrease in water level every hour. The flow decreases hour after hour, until it stabilizes. Thanks to the data collected, the engineers determine the level of stabilization of the water, which will be the place where the motorized pump will have to be positioned, and the flow.
Installation of the temporary motorized pump
The women take the opportunity to stock up on water
Livestock also benefit from the flowing water
Installation of the probe that measures the depth of the water
Krysia Cinelli is, like the community, very happy to see so much water
Engineers collect data
The results of the 24-hour test will give excellent results: an unexpected and surprising flow rate of 18,000 L/h
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Laboratory analyzes of the water will confirm that it is safe to drink.
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At the time of the end of the drilling and the different stages described so far, we are in November 2015. At this stage, the community must wait a few more months before being able to benefit from the water. A hand pump must be ordered and installed.
To celebrate the flow of water found, Maasai warriors kill a goat, cook the meat and share it with workers, engineers and people in the community
Phase V - Installation of manual pump, construction of wash house and water trough (March-April 2016)
A manual pump is installed
Women can finally enjoy the presence of clean water.
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The following weeks, a laundry is built
Noemi Cinelli, on a trip to Tanzania, takes the opportunity to visit the sites
Passionate about photography, Noemi will take beautiful photos during her visit (including the one above), which we will use to make a calendar for sale
In view of the high flow, the Elewa-Africa committee decided to build a drinking trough for the cattle.
An official ceremony with the representatives of the village of Lengatei is organized
A commemorative panel is installed
We would like to pay tribute to the Jack Guberan Foundation, who supported this project with a generous donation of 15'000.- chf
Phase VI - Construction of 30,000L tank, installation of motorized pump and solar panels - September 2016
After a few weeks of use, it became clear that the manual pump would not make the most of the water flow of 18,000 L/h. This flow rate is considered very high for the region and the borehole is the 3rd best in the Kiteto district! The committee then decided to replace the manual pump with a motorized one, powered by solar panels, and to build a 30,000L water tank to provide a reserve in case of cloudy weather.
With the support of the Jack Guberan Foundation, we can start improving the Orkoilili project as early as September 2016
The foundations of the reservoir
The tank is on top of a hill.
Trenches will accommodate the pipes that will connect the pump to the water tank
The submersible pump
The 30 solar panels that power the pump so it can send water to the tank. This will then go down to the distribution point located a little lower
The control board
The distribution point, with 2 taps. The engineers find that the pressure is sufficient
The small house that will house the site's night watchman
The project is functional and everyone is taking full advantage of it as of February 2017
