Giuseppe
Emeritus
From EMAS Website: http://www.emas-international.de/english/index_e.htm
EMAS-Concept of Drilling
The need for large financial investments for well drilling and the building of line systems has traditionally prohibited the construction of large scale potable water systems in rural areas. Wolfgang Buchner adapted already accepted suction - and rinsing drilling methods to local conditions, by using e.g. non-corrosive and easy-to-process materials (PE and PVC pipes). Wells as deep as 90 meters (approx.270 feet) can be drilled within 3-4 days without any machine employment and exclusively through the use of manual labor.
Most regions of South America (loam and sandy soils) are geologically suitable for this drilling method (predominantly rinsing or suction drilling). Utilizing simple tools, the project manager Wolfgang Buchner developed an effective and economical drilling method for tube wells (? = 37 mm) up to a depth of 90 meters including a hand pump ("EMAS Flexi pump"). Total cost for a meter, including labor, materials, hand pump and 1 year warranty amount to presently about US-$ 6 (in Bolivia). An average well with a depth of 30 m costs approx. US-$ 180 incl. the hand pump. This makes a surface covering supply of drinking water possible for municipalities and families in rural areas.
The advantages of this drilling-technique are summarized in the following listing:
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German language page: http://www.emas-international.de/
English language page: http://www.emas-international.de/english/index_e.htm
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EMAS-Concept of Drilling
The need for large financial investments for well drilling and the building of line systems has traditionally prohibited the construction of large scale potable water systems in rural areas. Wolfgang Buchner adapted already accepted suction - and rinsing drilling methods to local conditions, by using e.g. non-corrosive and easy-to-process materials (PE and PVC pipes). Wells as deep as 90 meters (approx.270 feet) can be drilled within 3-4 days without any machine employment and exclusively through the use of manual labor.
Most regions of South America (loam and sandy soils) are geologically suitable for this drilling method (predominantly rinsing or suction drilling). Utilizing simple tools, the project manager Wolfgang Buchner developed an effective and economical drilling method for tube wells (? = 37 mm) up to a depth of 90 meters including a hand pump ("EMAS Flexi pump"). Total cost for a meter, including labor, materials, hand pump and 1 year warranty amount to presently about US-$ 6 (in Bolivia). An average well with a depth of 30 m costs approx. US-$ 180 incl. the hand pump. This makes a surface covering supply of drinking water possible for municipalities and families in rural areas.
The advantages of this drilling-technique are summarized in the following listing:
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[*]simple yet effective drilling method without machine employment.
[*]in contrast to the open shaft-well, lower groundwater tables can also be accessed.
[*]employment of non-corrosive, easily accessible and processable materials (PE and PVC).
[*]less endangerment of the workers than when digging an open well shaft.
[*]low maintenance costs (1 year warranty).
[*]low cost (approx. US-$ 6 per meter of depth inclusive hand pump) allows for a surface covering potable water supply in the rural area. This is approx. 10 times more economical than the least expensive existing method.
[*]no operating cost due to the EMAS Flexi hand pump.
[*]protection of the groundwater since the drill hole is too narrow for motorized pumps (diameter 37 mm); delivery approx. 3600 liters/hour.
[*]the well, different from the open shaft-well, is hygienically sealed all around.
[*]only one false drilling (no water found) with approx. 10 attempts.
[*]simple technology, easy to learn.
[*]adaptable to other countries and regions with similar soil conditions.
[*]suited for fast disaster control operations.
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German language page: http://www.emas-international.de/
English language page: http://www.emas-international.de/english/index_e.htm
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