A Borehole for Olpirikata – Water for People and Animals

For the Maasai, water is a central source of livelihood – both for themselves and for their livestock. During a severe drought in 2010 and 2011, many families in southern Kenya were faced with an existential decision: Water for the people or for the animals?
Giving up livestock would have meant the loss of their most important source of income and thus often resettlement in the slums of Nairobi.

For this reason, the proceeds from the 2011 bazaar went to the “A borehole for Olpirikata” project. With the help of a solar-powered pump, water is now being pumped from a depth of 170 meters. As the subsoil consists of solid rock, drilling the well was an enormous technical and financial challenge.

Giorgio Girella was responsible for the project planning. The drilling and construction work was carried out together with the local population, who are still responsible for distributing the water today.

The preliminary geological investigations began in January 2012, the state drilling permit was issued in June 2012 and the actual drilling began on August 9, 2012. Just 24 hours later, water was found at a depth of 170 meters. On September 3, 2012, samples were taken over a period of 24 hours. A specialized laboratory in Nairobi confirmed the perfect drinking water quality.

The pump and generator have been in operation since November 1, 2012. Two members of the village community take care of maintenance and operation. The water is supplied at cost price of 20 Kenyan cents per 5 liters (equivalent to approx. 0.2 cents).