Chimphepo Village wants to drill a borehole to provide clean water to village residents. They are currently drinking from unclean water sources.

Community Problem: Chimphepo Village lacks access to clean water. This results in a high rate of waterborne illnesses and some deaths among children under the age of 5. Some residents pay to draw clean water from a neighboring village, but many vulnerable families lack the means to pay for water on a regular basis. They suffer the most from Chimphepo's water problem.

Community Solution: Dig a new borehole in Chimphepo Village. The borehole location was chosen by a village project committee, acting on behalf of the entire village. The site is publicly accessible. Construction will be done by a vetted drilling company, with substantial experience in the area. The installation will take three days to complete. The company expects to reach water at about 45 meters, but the wells will be drilled to depths of about 60 meters, if necessary. Before drilling, a hydro-geographical assessment using electrical measurements will be conducted to find the depth of the underlying aquifer. Above ground, the borehole will include a standard metal pump mechanism, a cement foundation to protect the pump mechanism and a cement spillway to channel excess water away from the pump. Funds will be used to pay for the skilled labor as well as for the materials that cannot be found locally, such as piping, fixtures and fittings, and concrete. Chimphepo will contribute volunteer labor, materials, including bricks and sand, and about $300 in cash.

Partners: World Connect & National Peace Corps Association

Outcome: clean water for the village