Manual Borehole Drilling as a Cost-Effective Solution for Drinking Water Access in Low-Income Contexts

Water access remains a challenge in rural areas of low-income countries. Manual drilling technologies have the potential to enhance water access by providing a low cost drinking water alternative for communities in low and middle income countries. This paper provides an overview of the main successe...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Martínez Santos, Pedro, Martín Loeches, Miguel Martín, Díaz Alcaide, Silvia, Danert, Kerstin
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Recursos:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/6428
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6428
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:556
628.112
appropriate technologies
developing regions
excavated well
food security
human right to water
improved water sources
Hidrología
2508 Hidrología
Descrição
Resumo:Water access remains a challenge in rural areas of low-income countries. Manual drilling technologies have the potential to enhance water access by providing a low cost drinking water alternative for communities in low and middle income countries. This paper provides an overview of the main successes and challenges experienced by manual boreholes in the last two decades. A review of the existing methods is provided, discussing their advantages and disadvantages and comparing their potential against alternatives such as excavated wells and mechanized boreholes. Manual boreholes are found to be a competitive solution in relatively soft rocks, such as unconsolidated sediments and weathered materials, as well as and in hydrogeological settings characterized by moderately shallow water tables. Ensuring professional workmanship, the development of regulatory frameworks, protection against groundwater pollution and standards for quality assurance rank among the main challenges for the future.