We don’t just drill wells
We build systems that LAST

Beyond wells. Built for long-term change.

WATER & SANITATION

Clean water changes everything—but only when sanitation is part of the solution.

Water

The Right System Matters

Not every school needs the same solution. We design each system based on that specific school's needs. Roundabout pumps, solar pumps, pour-flush toilets, VIP pit latrines, bio-digestion septics - all are great solutions, but some are better suited for certain schools.

Clean water keeps children in school.

When schools have safe water attendance increases, instances of disease are reduced and enrollment increases as parents are more inclined to send their children to a school with clean water and toilets. 

Built for Real Use

We design systems based on who will actually use them—because what works on paper doesn’t always work in a schoolyard.

Hand pumps are not the only solution

For larger schools and health centers and even some refugee camps we have installed solar-powered systems that can serve more people reliably.

Why water and sanitation together makes such a big impact

• Why water and sanitation together makes such a big impact

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• How we decide between solar and hand pumps

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• Why sanitation is critical to preventing disease

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How our work helps girls

• Why school health support matters

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• How Safe Spaces support girls

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• How our scholarship program works

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Why our systems stay working

• How we train local pump mechanics

  At every well drilled by Drop in the Bucket, members of the local community are selected and trained to be pump mechanics. The training is aimed at providing the participants with knowledge and skills to enable them to sustain, manage and repair their water points. Training hand pump mechanics is key to ensure project sustainability. Read More

• How communities fund repairs locally

  Drilling a well without providing the training and support needed to keep it working long-term is not a sustainable use of donor funds. That’s why DROP begins working with a community long before a well is drilled.

  Before a project is approved, community members must demonstrate their commitment by contributing locally available materials and labor. In Uganda, clay bricks can often be made at little or no cost, and sand is typically sourced nearby and transported to the drill site. Community members also help clear the land and assist during construction. By investing their own time and effort, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for the project.

  To ensure the well continues to serve the community for years to come, DROP helps establish Water User Committees that are responsible for collecting and managing maintenance funds. When appropriate, we also support the formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which provide an additional source of community-managed funds for repairs and other local needs.

  Together, these measures help ensure that communities have both the skills and resources needed to maintain their water systems long after the drilling rig has left.

  . Click here to learn more about our sustainability programs.

• How savings groups support maintenance

  Imagine a situation where a $20 part could mean the difference between clean, flowing water and a broken well. For many communities in Africa, this scenario is something they will inevitably face at some point. While the pumps are relatively easy to repair and keep in working order, that $20 or $40 part can easily be out of reach for a community living below the poverty line. So, how can we ensure that the stakeholders always have the funds to cover maintenance and repairs when they are needed?

  Read more/village-savings-and-loans-associations-vslas/