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Bolivia
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Scale: It is estimated that more than 20,000 hand drilled wells have been constructed in Bolivia with the EMAS method derivations (BOPS or AYNI). In addition, up to 3,000 wells have been constructed using the Baptist Drilling Technology.
Expertise: Bolivia is the home to both EMAS and Baptist Drilling methods. In the case of EMAS drilling, over a hundred of local small enterprises have been trained in the method and offer drilling services and the fabrication of manual pumps for domestic supply, cattle and other minor agricultural activities (e.g. vegetable gardens). In contrast, those promoting Baptist drilling lend the equipment to water users who have formed a “water club” and drill wells for themselves. Techniques: Bolivia is the home to both EMAS and Baptist Drilling methods. Pumps installed on hand drilled wells: EMAS, BOPS and AYNI pumps. History: Wolfgang Buchner first developed EMAS drilling in Santa Cruz around 1985. In order to apply the technology on a wider scale, Buchner formed a school to train small-scale entrepreneurs. As a result of this initiative, private enterprises own drilling equipment and provide wells for families who pay for the drilling and materials and provide labour. Subsequently the Pan-American Health Organisations (PAHO), the Sumaj Huasi Foundation and JICA have contributed to its improvement and diffusion in Bolivia. Currently UNICEF Bolivia promotes the technology in rural areas. Development of the Bolivian Baptist drilling technique by Terry Waller of Water for All (WFA) commenced in 1993. Small enterprises drilled 940 Baptist wells between 1995 and 2000. In 2001, WFA went on to use a water club approach (WFA lends drilling equipment). Since 2001, 495 wells were drilled as a result of the Water Clubs and about 200 more wells were drilled by the private enterprises (data source: WFA). WFA estimates that each well serves 10 to 20 people plus livestock. Standards: Not yet developed. Costs: EMAS: US$ 500–1,000 for drilling to a depth of 25-40m and equipping with a manual pump. It costs an additional US$ 500 if a concrete platform and protection structure is built and training in operation and maintenance is provided. Baptist: These wells are subsidized by the support organisations. Beneficiaries are expected to pay US$15 per well (as a contribution for maintenance of the drilling equipment), and provide labour and local materials. Suitable Areas: Tertiary and quaternary soils in the Amazonian Lowlands of Santa Cruz and Beni departments; the Chaco and highlands of La Paz department. Estimated potential target population: Around 40% of the rural population of the above suitable areas (estimate). Hydrogeological Mapping: Studies were carried out with the support of JICA regarding the availability of groundwater in the Chaco and Amazonia. Water Quality of wells drilled by government or international corporation support is monitored. Non-suitable areas for exploitation of groundwater are: Andean region (arsenic) and Amazonian lowlands (excess iron and magnesium). Organisations involved:
Documentation: Buchner E. No trastee mas agua, perfore su propio pozo. Programa de Agua y Saneamiento (available from author). Fundación Sumaj Huasi (FSH). Presentación institucional de la tecnología AYNI. 2009. (available from csuntura@sumaj.org). Orozco G., Operación Mantenimiento del Pozo Perforado y Bomba Manual BOPS 2002. 1999. PAHO. La Paz, Bolivia Water for All. 2005. Available from World Wide Web: <www.geocities.com/h2oclubs> Waller, T. 2009 [online] Bolivian Baptist Well Drilling Available from World Wide Web: <http://tinyurl.com/mmxznk> |
