Training Courses in Texas
For those serious about helping the rural poor learn to drill their own water wells
Limited availability. Contact Kim Edlund at ksedlund@mindspring.com.
WHAT IT IS
A week long course where you will gain hands-on experience drilling with the WfA technique. You will drill at least one and probably two wells, learn how to build and install a pump head and how to build drill bits on the field. The cost of the course covers five days and nights at our training farm and camp with excellent food and your own pump head and drill bit to take home with you. We go over basic hydrology, well sighting, pump theory and manufacture, well casing and completiion including proper sealing and pump head design for the third world, along with overview of water quality and testing program design, materials, methods, etc. For the person seriouly wanting to make a deep impact and willing to put the necessary time and resources this course is invaluable. We have 30 plus years of rural community development experience and our technology and methods are proven successful.
““The course was incredibly valuable for me, and I would definitely recommend it. It was valuable both in training on how to apply the method in the field that could not be gained simply by reading a manual, and for eliminating naive notions that one can show up in the third world and successfully apply the method without some practice or reliance on others with greater experience.”
”
““The ranch setting was perfect. The close proximity to the well working area and workshop was ideal and allowed us to most efficiently use the time available. The facilities were very comfortable and the layout was very conducive to group interaction.””
““The icing on the cake was the music and the jam sessions!””
What You Will Learn at a Typical 5 Day Course
An informative presentation will be given to allow a basic understanding of the drilling process, but even more so to help course attendees understand the importance of teaching the rural poor how to drill their own water wells. This presentation will take the finished product to the next step, showing windmills, fish ponds, zero till farming with irrigation; in short, the benefits of abudant water. This part of the course is usually done on the first night or once everyone has arrived.
WfA Staff will review case studies with participants from different WfA projects and you will learn how a set up a successful WfA-style program in a developing country.
Course participants will start and complete a well with the WfA method. This includes step by step instruction with the help of experienced well drillers. You will be participating hands-on for the entire drilling process. You will learn how to set up, start a pilot hole, and drill successfully. You will learn differences in formations, how to take samples, what to do in different trouble-shooting instances (i.e., broken bit in the hole, lack of flow, stuck in hard rock, etc.), and how to mix and add bentonite appropriately. You will also learn to make your own casing, how to backwash and clean out your hole, and how to test pump and develop your well. Finally, you will learn how to install the hand-made pump (which you will make at a later point in the course). This takes one to two days.
Course participants will survey local geography to understand different layers you will be drilling through. This will be done in conjuction with the drilling.
You will make your own pump heads and pump parts in the shop. You will take home a drill bit, and the pump parts you have made at the course. (Grinder, chop saw, torch and welder will all be used. Welding will be demonstrated but not required.) Participants will spend at least one day in the shop learning to assemble their own pump parts and make their own drill bits.
Participants will each receive their own drilling manual which contains a list of matierials to purchase for well drilling along with complete instruction for the process. The manual is simply a supplement to the course and in no way a replacement.
Water for All Staff will enjoy getting to know you as you seek to serve the least of these.