Layik West – Clean Water for a Refugee-Affected Community in Northern Uganda
Layik West (Kitgum District)
Project Snapshot
Location: Layik West, Kitgum District, northern Uganda
Users Served: Over 300 community members in Layik West
Intervention: Drilled borehole well with hand pump, concrete apron, and upgraded stainless-steel riser pipes
Depth Drilled:
Yield:
Date Drilled:
Status: Completed
Layik West Before the Well
Layik West is located in Kitgum District in northern Uganda, where access to safe water is severely limited. The challenge has been made worse by the influx of refugees from South Sudan fleeing ongoing conflict, placing additional pressure on already scarce water sources.
Before Drop in the Bucket drilled a borehole, the community relied on what locals refer to as a “protected spring.” While the name suggests safety, these sources offer little real protection from contamination.
A protected spring is created when community members identify a possible water source just below the surface using signs like vegetation patterns, terrain dips, or damp soil. They dig down a few feet and, if water is present, may build a small brick-and-cement structure with a short outlet pipe to channel the flow. Despite the added structure, the water remains shallow groundwater and is highly prone to contamination.
In Layik West, the pipe at the protected spring eventually rusted, and water slowed to a trickle. Long wait times frustrated community members, and the spring became a source of conflict within the village.
What We Built in Layik West
Drop in the Bucket was approached by the community to drill a borehole well—not only to provide safe water, but also to reduce conflict caused by the failing spring.
We drilled a deep community borehole well and installed a standard hand pump with a reinforced concrete apron and upgraded stainless-steel riser pipes. The new well replaced the unreliable spring and provides a safe, sustainable water source for the community.
Layik West Now
Clean water is now available within the community for drinking, cooking, and daily hygiene. Families no longer rely on shallow, contaminated groundwater, and water collection no longer causes tension within the village.
Reliable access to safe water has improved health, reduced daily burdens, and helped restore stability for a community already under strain.
Use & Upkeep
A Water User Committee oversees daily use and cleanliness of the borehole. Trained local hand pump technicians manage first-line repairs and coordinate with sub-county and district authorities when additional technical support is required.
Notes
Type: Borehole well with hand pump (community)
Primary users: Community members in Layik West, Kitgum District, Uganda
Hygiene: Keep the apron clear and drained; encourage safe water storage and handwashing at home
Related: See water facts for why shallow water sources are often unsafe and why boreholes matter.
Story: Layik West — A Village Suffering from a Lack of Clean Water
The failing protected spring in Layik West created daily hardship and conflict for families already facing displacement and water scarcity. The new borehole has replaced an unreliable source with safe, consistent access to clean water.
To read more about this well, click here.