+ 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
+ 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. For a more comprehensive answer Read More
+ How Long Does it Take to Drill a Well?
The short answer is for the construction alone it can take about 3-4 hours of actual drilling time for a 50 meter well, but that time can vary depending on the drilling rig and the compressor. For a more detailed answer use this link.
+ 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). Use this link for a more detailed description.
+ What is the difference between a borehole and a traditional well?
Boreholes are water wells that have been drilled down to an active aquifer or to fractures in underground rock that are filled with a large body of water. A traditional well happens when members of a local community are able to look at the vegetation in the area and make an informed guess that there is likely to be a natural spring in a certain area. They will dig down just a few feet in the area where they feel they may hit water and if they are lucky, they will have what is called a natural well. These wells are also known as local wells or traditional wells. For a more in depth look at the differences between these two types of wells clink this link.
+ What Is an India Mk II Hand Pump and Why Do You Use It?
The India Mk II is an open source hand pump that was developed as a collaboration between the Indian government, WHO, UNICEF and an Indian based pump manufacturer. This is the most widely used hand pump in the world. The pumps are durable, easy to repair and are widely supported. Because the pump is open source, anyone can manufacture these pumps without having to pay a licensing fee. Replacement parts for these pumps are locally available across much of Africa, and trained community mechanics can service it with simple tools. To read more about this pump click this link.
+ How Long Does a Borehole Last?
With proper construction and community maintenance, a school borehole can serve for 15–25+ years. Wear parts (seals, rods) do need to be replaced periodically, and the concrete sanitary apron will wear out over time with heavy use, so that does also need to be replaced periodically. But by far the biggest cost involved is the drilling and initial construction, so repairing the well apron or replacing riser pipes are much smaller costs and can usually be handled easily by an active and organized water user committee.
+ 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 we handover the well, the school or stakeholders from the community manage the well. They are responsible for collecting water user fees which are to be put aside to cover repairs when needed. These fees cover the cost of replacement parts and labor. The water committee is trained in how to maintain a logbook that records everyone’s contributions and they are given the contact information for nearby trained pump mechanics. At every well that Drop in the Bucket drills, we also train members of the community to become pump mechanics.
+ 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 as needed. They keep the system sustainable without relying on outside aid for every maintenance need.
+ What Water Quality Testing Do You Perform?
At every well that we drill we perform two tests. The first is a field test where we test for key indicators like turbidity, pH, and bacterial contamination (e.g., fecal coliform). We also screen for fluoride, iron, and other potential contaminants. Once the well has been drilled we collect water samples and send them to the labs recommended by the Ministry of Water and Infrastructure. There they are tested for contaminants, mineral content etc. Once the water has been certified as safe, we hand the well over to the local stakeholders where it will be managed by the school and water committee.
+ Why Not Use Solar Pumps Everywhere?
Solar powered pumps are preferred in some instances (large schools and health centers) as they deliver a high volume of water from the borehole without requiring manual pumping. However solo powered pumps 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 like to select and install the most appropriate pump at each location and we base this decision on the number of people using the well and the infrastructure at that location.
+ What Is a Water User Committee?
A Water User Committee is a locally elected group made up of trusted members of the local community. They are responsible for managing the well, and collecting and keeping records of the water user fees, repairs and liaising with mechanics. We train the water committee before commissioning the well. Read more
+ How Do You Choose Where to Drill?
Drop in the Bucket works in rural schools and villages in sub-Saharan Africa. We work with the local water authorities, elected representatives and the school district to identify potential sites. Once we have identified a site, we conduct a hydrogeological survey to determine the presence of groundwater and ascertain the depth and yield. We also check land access, proximity to latrines, and safe distances from contaminants. All of these factors, along with the distance to the school, health center or village are determining factors in where we drill the well.
+ What Happens If a Borehole Has Low Yield?
If test results show the well has a low yield or the water quality tests give us an assessment of unsafe water, we will remove all pipes and look for a different location to drill. Our donors are kept informed, and final commissioning only happens when the water source is marked as safe and sufficient.
+ 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 habits: handwashing, safe latrine use, menstrual hygiene, and disease prevention—boosting health and attendance. Click here to read more about CHAST.
+ What Are “Safe Spaces” for Girls?
Safe Spaces are after-school clubs that offer mentorship, academic support, and menstrual hygiene education and supplies. Led by trained local mentors, they help girls stay in school and thrive.
+ 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/community served and the training delivered.
+ How Do Communities Contribute to Projects?
Communities contribute unskilled labor, site prep, sand/gravel, and security during drilling. This co-investment builds ownership and improves long-term care of the water point.
+ What’s the Typical Timeline From Donation to Completion?
Timelines vary by season and access. A representative project includes survey and mobilization, drilling and development, water testing, pad and drainage, training, and commissioning. While a deep well of 50-60 meters can be drilled in as little as one day, everything else takes time. So we may be working with a community for several weeks or months before we even send the drilling rig to that location.
+ 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 avoid sensitive sites, and training promotes safe water use and hygiene.
+ Why is clean water access such a big problem in Africa?
Multiple factors intersect: rapidly growing populations, dispersed rural settlements, aging/insufficient infrastructure, difficult geology in some areas, seasonal drought/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
+ 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
+ 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
+ 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
+ What’s the difference between boreholes and hand-dug wells?
A borehole is machine-drilled, cased, and taps an aquifer or fractured rock; it’s deeper and better protected from contamination. A hand-dug well is shallow and cheaper but more prone to drying and pollution. We match the solution to the site. Read more
+ 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 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
+ 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 plus clean water reduces illness and keeps kids in school. Read more
+ How much does it cost to build a well in Africa?
Costs depend on geology, depth, access, and pump type. Budgets include siting, mobilization, drilling/casing, sanitary apron/drainage, the pump, and training/governance. Sponsors can fund a single named school well and receive a completion report with photos and GPS. Read more
+ How can I make sure my donation to a water charity really builds a well?
Look for clear scopes, site-specific reporting (photos, GPS), realistic budgets, and a sustainability plan (committee, fees, mechanics). We provide naming options and a completion packet so you can see where your gift made a difference. Read more
+ 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, training). We share a simple accounting for each completed project. 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