Knowledge Center

Clean Water and Schools

• How does clean water help kids stay in school?

  At Drop in the Bucket we know that access to clean water can be the difference between a child completing their education or dropping out before finishing primary school. In rural Africa, where schools often lack basic infrastructure, something as simple as a nearby well can profoundly impact school attendance, academic performance, and long-term outcomes for children — especially girls. Read more

• Why is clean water access such a big problem in Africa?

  Multiple factors intersect: rapidly growing populations, dispersed rural settlements, aging and insufficient infrastructure, difficult geology in some areas, seasonal drought and flood cycles, and limited local budgets for operation and maintenance. Conflict and displacement also strain existing systems. Read more

• What are the main causes of the water crisis in Africa?

  Causes vary by country but typically include underinvestment in rural services, climate variability, long distances to reliable sources, water point breakdowns that go unfixed, and contamination from open defecation or shallow, unprotected sources. Governance and supply chains for spare parts matter too. Read more

• What percentage of Africans lack access to clean drinking water?

  Estimates vary by source and year, but hundreds of millions of people still lack basic drinking water services — especially in rural areas. In some countries, a third or more of households do not have safe, reliable water close to home. Read more

• Which African countries have the greatest need for clean water wells?

  Need is highest in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Countries with large rural populations and limited infrastructure often have the biggest gaps. We focus where schools lack on-site water and communities face long walks to unsafe sources. Read more

• How do clean water wells change lives in African villages?

  On-site water cuts disease, saves time (especially for women and girls), boosts school attendance and household productivity, and supports small enterprises and hygiene. Health, education, and income all improve when water is safe and nearby. Read more

Wells and Technology

• How much does it cost to drill a well in Africa?

  There are many factors that determine the cost of a water well in Africa, such as the location, the type of well pump, and the water table depth. Budgets include siting, mobilization, drilling and casing, a sanitary apron with drainage, the pump, and training. Read more

• How long does it take to drill a well?

  A 50-meter borehole can take about 3–4 hours of actual drilling time, but that varies depending on the rig and compressor. Everything else — surveys, community mobilization, water testing, pad construction, and training — means we may work with a community for several weeks or months before the drilling rig ever arrives. Read more

• How does a hydrogeological survey work?

  A hydrogeological survey is a scientific method used to detect the presence, depth, and quality of groundwater beneath the earth’s surface. These surveys help determine where to drill wells and what type of well is needed — shallow, deep borehole, or solar. Read more

• What is the difference between a borehole and a traditional well?

  • A borehole is machine-drilled, cased, and taps an aquifer or fractured rock — it’s deeper and better protected from contamination. A traditional (hand-dug) well is shallower and cheaper but more prone to drying out and pollution. We match the solution to the site. Read more

• What is an India Mk II hand pump and why do you use it?

  The India Mk II is an open-source hand pump developed as a collaboration between the Indian government, WHO, UNICEF, and an Indian pump manufacturer. It is the most widely used hand pump in the world — durable, easy to repair, and widely supported. Because it is open source, anyone can manufacture it without a licensing fee, and replacement parts are locally available across much of Africa. Read more

• Why not use solar pumps everywhere?

  Solar-powered pumps are preferred in some instances — large schools and health centers — as they deliver high water volume without manual pumping. However they cost significantly more than hand pumps and need specialized maintenance. For many sites, a hand pump is the most durable, reliable, and affordable solution. We select the most appropriate pump based on the number of users and the infrastructure at each location.

• What materials are used to build water wells in Africa?

  Typical boreholes use steel or PVC casing, gravel pack, a sanitary seal, and a concrete apron with drainage. We fit an India Mk II hand pump — or solar where appropriate — using locally available parts to simplify maintenance. Read more

• How long does a borehole last?

  With proper construction and community maintenance, a school borehole can serve for 15–25+ years. Wear parts such as seals and rods need periodic replacement, and the concrete sanitary apron will wear with heavy use. But the biggest cost is the initial drilling and construction — repairs and part replacements are much smaller and can usually be handled by an active water user committee.

• What water quality testing do you perform?

  At every well we perform two tests. First, a field test for key indicators like turbidity, pH, and bacterial contamination, plus screening for fluoride, iron, and other potential contaminants. Then water samples are sent to labs recommended by the Ministry of Water and Infrastructure for full analysis. The well is only commissioned and handed over once the water has been certified as safe.

• What happens if a borehole has low yield?

  If test results show low yield or unsafe water quality, we remove all pipes and look for a different location. Our donors are kept informed, and final commissioning only happens when the water source is confirmed safe and sufficient.

• How do you choose where to drill?

  We work with local water authorities, elected representatives, and school districts to identify potential sites. Once identified, we conduct a hydrogeological survey to confirm groundwater presence, depth, and yield. We also check land access, proximity to latrines, and safe distances from contaminants — all alongside the distance to the school, health center, or village.

• What is the environmental footprint of drilling?

  We contain drill cuttings, dispose of waste responsibly, and build sanitary aprons and drainage to prevent standing water. Surveys help us avoid sensitive sites, and our training promotes safe water use and hygiene practices in the community.

Community & Sustainability

• Who maintains the well after it's built?

  When Drop in the Bucket drills a well, we establish and train a Water User Committee. After handover, the school and community stakeholders manage the well — collecting water user fees to cover repairs, maintaining a logbook of contributions, and liaising with nearby trained pump mechanics. We also train community members to become pump mechanics at every well we drill.

• What is a Water User Committee?

  A Water User Committee is a locally elected group of trusted community members responsible for managing the well, collecting and recording water user fees, overseeing repairs, and liaising with mechanics. We train the committee before commissioning the well. Read more

• What are water user fees and why are they important?

  Water user fees are small, locally agreed-upon contributions that fund routine repairs and spare parts. They keep the system sustainable without relying on outside aid for every maintenance need.

• How do communities contribute to projects?

  Communities contribute unskilled labor, site preparation, sand and gravel, and security during drilling. This co-investment builds ownership and improves long-term care of the water point.

• How do charities ensure the wells keep working over time?

  Sustainability comes from local ownership: Water User Committees, user-fee collection for parts, trained pump mechanics, clear roles, and accessible supply chains. We provide follow-ups focused on governance, not dependency. Read more

• What is CHAST and why use it?

  CHAST (Children’s Hygiene and Sanitation Training) is a child-led program that uses games, stories, and peer teaching to build lasting habits: handwashing, safe latrine use, menstrual hygiene, and disease prevention — boosting both health and attendance. Read more

• How do water charities help with sanitation and hygiene training?

  We pair every well with WASH education: handwashing, safe storage, latrine use, menstrual hygiene, and CHAST clubs. Behavior change combined with clean water reduces illness and keeps kids in school. Read more

• What are "Safe Spaces" for girls?

  Safe Spaces are after-school clubs offering mentorship, academic support, and menstrual hygiene education and supplies. Led by trained local mentors, they help girls stay in school and thrive.

• What's the typical timeline from donation to completion?

  Timelines vary by season and site access. A representative project moves through survey and community mobilization, drilling and development, water testing, pad and drainage construction, training, and commissioning. While a deep well of 50–60 meters can be drilled in a single day, we may be working with a community for several weeks or months beforehand.

Girls' Education & Women's Health

• Why do girls drop out of school in Africa?

  There is no single answer to this question. Africa is a large and diverse continent made up of more than 50 countries, each with its own cultures, laws, geography, and challenges. Even within the countries where Drop in the Bucket works—Uganda and South Sudan—the realities of life in rural communities can be very different from those in cities.

  While we cannot speak for every country in Africa, we can share what we have learned through two decades of working alongside schools and communities in East Africa.

  Some of the most common reasons girls leave secondary school include early marriage, the cost of school fees and uniforms, long and sometimes dangerous journeys to school, and the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. In many rural areas, secondary schools are located far from home, requiring girls to walk long distances each day. These journeys can expose them to harassment, violence, or pressure to leave school altogether.

  In South Sudan, many families also face economic pressures that encourage early marriage. Girls may be married at a young age in exchange for a bride price, often paid in cattle, money, or other valuable assets. Once married, their education usually comes to an end.

  Missing school during menstruation can also have a significant impact. Without access to sanitary pads and private changing facilities, many girls stay home for several days each month. Over time, these absences can cause students to fall behind academically and increase the likelihood that they will leave school permanently.

• How do sanitary pads improve school attendance?

  For many girls, the lack of sanitary pads can become a major barrier to completing their education.

  Without access to menstrual hygiene products, girls may stay home during their menstrual cycle because they have no reliable way to manage it at school. Missing several days of classes each month can quickly add up, making it difficult to keep pace with lessons and increasing the risk of dropping out.

  Drop in the Bucket’s menstrual hygiene program helps remove this barrier by providing reusable sanitary pads, underwear, and soap to girls in the communities where we work. Combined with health education and appropriate school facilities, these resources help girls attend school consistently and continue their education with confidence.

• What are Safe Spaces?

  Drop in the Bucket operates two Safe Spaces programs in South Sudan: one for school-age girls and another for young mothers returning to education.

  Our student Safe Spaces provide after-school academic support, life-skills training, health education, and mentoring. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at primary schools in Nimule and are led by trained female mentors, many of whom are graduates of DROP’s own education program.

  Students receive additional instruction in English and mathematics while also developing confidence, leadership, and practical life skills. One of the program’s greatest strengths is its real-time monitoring system, which helps identify girls who may be at risk of dropping out so that staff can intervene before they leave school.

  Today, the program serves more than 2,000 girls every day.

• What is menstrual hygiene management?

  Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) refers to the knowledge, facilities, and supplies girls need to manage their menstrual cycles safely, hygienically, and with dignity.

  Drop in the Bucket’s MHM program includes:

  • Distribution of reusable sanitary pads, underwear, and soap.
  • Construction of private changing rooms at schools.
  • Health education that helps normalize menstruation and reduce stigma.
  • Ongoing support from trained female mentors.

  Together, these efforts help ensure that menstruation does not become a barrier to education.

• Why does clean water improve girls' education?

  In many rural communities across East Africa, girls are responsible for collecting water for their families. When the nearest water source is several kilometers away, this daily task can consume hours that might otherwise be spent in the classroom.

  By drilling wells directly at schools, Drop in the Bucket dramatically reduces the time students spend collecting water and makes it easier for children—especially girls—to attend school regularly.

  Clean water also supports better sanitation. When schools have toilets, handwashing stations, and private changing rooms supplied with water, girls can manage their menstrual cycles with dignity and remain in school throughout the month rather than missing several days of classes.

• Why are girls' scholarships important?

  In many low-income communities, families simply cannot afford to pay secondary school fees for every child.

  When difficult financial decisions have to be made, boys are often given priority over girls. As a result, many talented young women never have the opportunity to continue their education.

  Drop in the Bucket’s scholarship program helps remove this barrier by covering the cost of secondary school for exceptional female students who would otherwise be unable to attend. By investing in girls’ education, we are helping future teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Donating

• Can donors name a well? What do they receive?

  Yes. Sponsors can dedicate a well with an inscription tile. We provide a completion report with photos, GPS coordinates, and a summary of the school or community served and the training delivered.

• How much of my donation goes directly to building the wells?

  We prioritize program spending and keep overhead low. For restricted well projects, funds are applied to program line items — survey, drilling, pump, apron, and training. We share a simple accounting for each completed project. Read more

• How can I make sure my donation to a water charity really builds a well?

  Look for clear project scopes, site-specific reporting (photos and GPS), realistic budgets, and a sustainability plan covering the committee, fees, and mechanics. We provide naming options and a completion packet so you can see exactly where your gift made a difference. Read more

• Are donations to clean water charities tax-deductible?

  Yes — when donating to a registered 501(c)(3) in the U.S. (or the equivalent in your country). We issue receipts suitable for tax purposes; consult your tax advisor for your specific situation. Read more

• What is the best charity to donate to for building wells in Africa?

  “Best” depends on transparency, proven impact, and sustainability. Evaluate reporting, local partnerships, and long-term maintenance plans. If you value school-centered wells with WASH training and community governance, we invite you to consider Drop in the Bucket. Read more