Harvey04.pdf (1.17 MB)
Download fileBorehole sustainability in rural Africa: an analysis of routine field data
conference contribution
posted on 2006-06-02, 10:27 authored by Peter HarveyHandpump-equipped boreholes are one of the most common water supply technologies adopted in rural Africa, but often
demonstrate low levels of sustainability. In addition to operational problems with the pump, the borehole itself may cease
to provide adequate quantities of safe drinking water only a short time after construction. This can have a significant
negative impact on poor rural communities, particularly in the dry season when alternative water sources are scarce. A
study of 302 boreholes in Ghana aimed to investigate rapid-onset borehole failure in relation to field data typically available
following drilling and development. The study showed that the likelihood of borehole failure increased by a factor of
six when drilling occurred during the wet season, and discovered a strong correlation between monthly precipitation and
respective failure rates for boreholes drilled in each month. The potential for borehole failure also increased significantly
when the initial yield was below the guideline value of 10 l/min. There was no indication, however, that a higher guideline
value would be a cost-effective measure to reduce failure rates.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
- Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)