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Hello Toby, Thank you, for the enquiry that was made whilst we were working in Kilimambogo, Kenya - this is the reason for my late reply - during the 3 weeks we spent in Kenya, most days, electricity was rationed to about 10hrs. provision in every 24hrs. It played havoc with our communications from the deep rural area in which we live and meant that very few emails were able to be sent or received.

This message is to say how much we valued the information and technical support that was received from Red R - TSS in response to my enquiries, prior to our return to the area where the borehole problems are being experienced at Kilimambogo, Thika District, Kenya. From August 14th until last week, my husband and I were working in Kilimambogo ; much of our time was been spent in dealing with the complexities of the uncontrolled discharge from the borehole , which to date, still continues to leak because of inappropriate capping measures. The high water pressure has resulted in the capping breaking down. There was no wellhead construction.

The drilling company, had failed to recognize that the drilled borehole was into an artesian supply. This is a very unusual situation in Kenya. Had artesian conditions been anticipated, appropriate methods would have been deployed to prevent problems before they occurred. The drilling contractor knows that uncontrolled artesian flow is not allowed in Kenya and that he should have advised that the water needed treatment before it use. Had an hydro geologist been employed to oversee the project from the outset, (who would have been employed at significant cost,) many of the outcomes would not have come to pass.

The Kilimambogo Borehole Installation project has been fortunate in securing the services of an experienced hydro geologist, Mike Lane - Aquasearch Ltd, has identified the difficulties of this "problem borehole" and made recommendations as to how it should be dealt with. Mike is advising that the bore hole be "shut in and abandoned", since the water analysis indicates high quantities of both fluoride and sodium being present. The contaminants would be difficult and costly to remove - what ever system is employed. There would also be a matter of corrosive water damaging, and ultimately destroying galvanised iron pipework - the most commonly used material in the supply of potable water in Kenya.

In summary, the fact that the borehole was a "problem borehole" exposed weaknesses in on-site management and quite possibly, the contract processes would not have occurred had the borehole been more typical of Nairobi aquifer system boreholes. Currently, the project leads are waiting for proposals and costs to be provided by Drilling Spares and Services, Ltd. The Drilling Company appear not to understand the recommendations and requirements and are dragging their heels about providing the necessary quotation for removing a submersible pump from 68mts. depth and working to a specification laid down by Mike, to reduce the water level in the hole so there is no longer any free discharge; the detailed remedial steps are explained and recommendations laid down that will completely "shut in" the bore hole.

The project is indebted to Mike for freely continuing to provide his skills and expertise. The need for abandonment of the borehole is a deep disappointment and as yet remains unresolved. Other drilling companies (EA Drillcon Ltd.) are being asked to quote for undertaking the work involved in properly sealing the borehole and looking at what may be salvaged from this unfortunate exercise.

Pressure is being applied to DSS Ltd to complete the rectification work at the borehole site. There is a sense of deep frustration and anger that the drillers are ignoring repeated requests for action. It is in the interests of the drillers to respond since they understand the illegal nature of the water wastage.

We remain extremely grateful for the technical advice which was so very helpful when it was discovered how badly mismanaged this Rotary funded project had become.

Sincerely,

Jan

Hello Toby, Thank you, for the enquiry that was made whilst we were working in Kilimambogo, Kenya - this is the reason for my late reply - during the 3 weeks we spent in Kenya, most days, electricity was rationed to about 10hrs. provision in every 24hrs. It played havoc with our communications from the deep rural area in which we live and meant that very few emails were able to be sent or received.

This message is to say how much we valued the information and technical support that was received from Red R - RedR TSS in response to my enquiries, prior to our return to the area where the borehole problems are being experienced at Kilimambogo, Thika District, Kenya. From August 14th until last week, my husband and I were working in Kilimambogo ; much of our time was been spent in dealing with the complexities of the uncontrolled discharge from the borehole , which to date, still continues to leak because of inappropriate capping measures. The high water pressure has resulted in the capping breaking down. There was no wellhead construction.

The drilling company, had failed to recognize that the drilled borehole was into an artesian supply. This is a very unusual situation in Kenya. Had artesian conditions been anticipated, appropriate methods would have been deployed to prevent problems before they occurred. The drilling contractor knows that uncontrolled artesian flow is not allowed in Kenya and that he should have advised that the water needed treatment before it use. Had an hydro geologist been employed to oversee the project from the outset, (who would have been employed at significant cost,) many of the outcomes would not have come to pass.

The Kilimambogo Borehole Installation project has been fortunate in securing the services of an experienced hydro geologist, Mike Lane - Aquasearch Ltd, has identified the difficulties of this "problem borehole" and made recommendations as to how it should be dealt with. Mike is advising that the bore hole be "shut in and abandoned", since the water analysis indicates high quantities of both fluoride and sodium being present. The contaminants would be difficult and costly to remove - what ever system is employed. There would also be a matter of corrosive water damaging, and ultimately destroying galvanised iron pipework - the most commonly used material in the supply of potable water in Kenya.

In summary, the fact that the borehole was a "problem borehole" exposed weaknesses in on-site management and quite possibly, the contract processes would not have occurred had the borehole been more typical of Nairobi aquifer system boreholes. Currently, the project leads are waiting for proposals and costs to be provided by Drilling Spares and Services, Ltd. the drilling company. The Drilling Company drilling company appear not to understand the recommendations and requirements and are dragging their heels about providing the necessary quotation for removing a submersible pump from 68mts. depth and working to a specification laid down by Mike, to reduce the water level in the hole so there is no longer any free discharge; the detailed remedial steps are explained and recommendations laid down that will completely "shut in" the bore hole.

The project is indebted to Mike for freely continuing to provide his skills and expertise. The need for abandonment of the borehole is a deep disappointment and as yet remains unresolved. Other drilling companies (EA Drillcon Ltd.) are being asked to quote for undertaking the work involved in properly sealing the borehole and looking at what may be salvaged from this unfortunate exercise.

Pressure is being applied to DSS Ltd the drilling company to complete the rectification work at the borehole site. There is a sense of deep frustration and anger that the drillers are ignoring repeated requests for action. It is in the interests of the drillers to respond since they understand the illegal nature of the water wastage.

We remain extremely grateful for the technical advice which was so very helpful when it was discovered how badly mismanaged this Rotary funded project had become.

Sincerely,

Jan