At 1:30 this afternoon, we hit WATER in Kipsongo Well # 2 at a depth of 30 feet. The word traveled fast through the village, and we had quite a crowd within a few minutes … Maji (Swahili for water) was all that had to be said and people were instantly delighted. The two elders in the photo below hold the first water sample that was gathered … a lot of sediment because of all the digging, but settles out rather quickly when undisturbed.
We dug another 3 feet and will allow the well to sit overnight and check depth tomorrow morning. If water infiltration into the well holds strong, we will start setting the concrete culvert sections which will act as the well walls. Bricks will then be mortared in to fill the gap from the top of the culvert to the surface.
The water samples will be sent off to the lab … it is anticipated that the well water will be potable with only boiling, and no further treatment.
Rain has started again this evening but it’s not quite as critical as it was yesterday, and the good fortune of having clear skies all day today.
Photos: Two elders with first Maji sample. Diggers change out - lowering himself down the well using bucket, rope and pulley.
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