Message-ID: <v01540b02ad7c81efd95c@[199.224.70.54]> Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 12:22:44 -0500 From: Jonathan Naugle <mailto:jnaugle@EPIX.NET> Subject: Re: Sand Abstraction To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
When I was working in Niger with Lutheran World Relief we used a method of hand augering wells up to 12 meters deep in sandy soils in former watercourses. The well can be constructed in less than a day and is 140 mm in diameter and lined with standard PVC well casing. The slotted portion of the casing (well screen) was covered with a polyester cloth to prevent the entry of fine sand into the well and eliminated the need for a gravel pack. The relatively large diameter permits the use of a bailer to raise the water and eliminates the need for a hand pump. The drawbacks are the availability and the cost of the PVC well casing. We did not experiment with other materials for the well casing, but for shallow wells PVC with thinner walls would probably work.I wrote a manual on the technique and would be happy to supply a text only version via e-mail. The original manual "Hand Augered Wells Manual" may still be available from Lutheran World Relief, BP 11624, Niamey, Niger and contains engineering drawings for all of the augers and accessories, which can be made locally by a reasonably skilled welder.
Jon Naugle
Jonathan Naugle Agricultural Engineer Rural Development Consultant