Training Courses in Texas

For those serious about helping the rural poor drill their own water wells.

Fall Course dates are September 20-25, 2010

Limited Availability. Contact Kim Edlund at ksedlund@minsdpring.com.

• An informative presentation will be given to allow a basic understanding of the drilling process, but even more so to help course attendees understand the importance of teaching the rural poor how to drill their own water wells. This presentation will take the finished product to the next step, showing windmills, fish ponds, zero till farming with irrigation; in short, the benefits of abudant water.  This part of the course is usually done on the first night or once everyone has arrived.

• WfA Staff will review case studies with participants from different WfA projects and you will learn how a set up a successful WfA-style program in a developing country.

• Course participants will start and complete a well with the WfA method. This includes step by step instruction with the help of experienced well drillers. You will be participating hands-on for the entire drilling process. You will learn how to set up, start a pilot hole, and drill successfully. You will learn differences in formations, how to take samples, what to do in different trouble-shooting instances (i.e., broken bit in the hole, lack of flow, stuck in hard rock, etc.), and how to mix and add bentonite appropriately. You will also learn to make your own casing, how to backwash and clean out your hole, and how to test pump and develop your well. Finally, you will learn how to install the hand-made pump (which you will make at a later point in the course).  This takes one to two days.

• Course participants will survey local geography to understand different layers you will be drilling through.  This will be done in conjuction with the drilling.

• You will make your own pump heads and pump parts in the shop. You will take home a drill bit, and the pump parts you have made at the course. (Grinder, chop saw, torch and welder will all be used. Welding will be demonstrated but not required.)  Participants will spend at least one day in the shop learning to assemble their own pump parts and make their own drill bits.

• Participants will each receive their own drilling manual which contains a list of matierials to purchase for well drilling along with complete instruction for the process. The manual is simply a supplement to the course and in no way a replacement.

• Water for All Staff will enjoy getting to know you as you seek to serve the least of these.