Technical Design
Implementation report
1. Design Details
1.1 Design Criteria, Standards, and Permits
We are digging a 230m deep borehole, which requires:
● Hydrogeological survey report (by a licensed hydrogeologist)
● Authorization from the Water Resources Authority (WRA) before drilling starts
● Borehole drilling permit issued once WRA reviews and approves.
Everything falls under the permit passed by WHO and WRA in Kenya.
1.2 Problem Definition
The underground water source near Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School (“location 2”) has been
assessed and, while generally usable, faces two major challenges: quality and availability.
The water contains high levels of alkalinity, sulfates, fluoride, carbonate, calcium, and
magnesium, making it hard, corrosive, and in some cases unsafe for long-term consumption. At
the same time, the community suffers from high demand but limited storage infrastructure,
meaning supply quickly runs out during the dry season when rainfall is scarce. Without
adequate treatment and storage, the source cannot reliably meet the school’s and community’s
needs.
1.3 Intended Use
From the survey we carried out, we found that the community uses about 5 liters of water per
person each day for 200 people, which comes to around 1,000 liters daily. Right now this water
is fetched from a shallow well that takes about 15 minutes to walk to, so it isn’t very convenient
and it doesn’t cover all the needs.
The school in particular requires more water, especially if sanitation systems are to be included,
so we estimate closer to 10 liters per person each day, making it about 2,000 liters for the same
200 people. The water itself is generally safe, with no major waterborne diseases reported apart
from some cases of diarrhea, which could be managed with simple filtration.
The real problem is that there just isn’t enough water or storage to meet the community’s daily
needs, especially during dry seasons.
1.4 Site Selection
Location 2 was selected because it offers the most practical benefits for the community. It is the
closest point to the school, making it easier for children to access water without long walks.
The site is also near the main road, which allows heavy vehicles to reach it for borewell drilling
and for bringing in a diesel generator to power the pump. In addition, the underground water at
this location has been found to be of satisfactory quality, and since it is close to several
households, it can serve both the school and the surrounding community.
2. Design Specifications
2.1 Conceptual Plan
1) Borewell Drilling at Location 2:
Based on prior water table surveys, Location 2 has been identified as having a thick, reliable
water belt just below the 200 mark. This makes it ideal for consistent groundwater extraction.
Drilling a borewell here ensures that water is available throughout the year, even during dry
spells. Proper casing and borewell depth should be selected to maximize water yield while
preventing contamination from surface runoff.
2) Connection to Filtration System:
The borewell will be connected to the water treatment setup via durable PVC piping. This
pipeline will carry raw groundwater to the filtration system efficiently, maintaining adequate flow
rate and minimizing leaks. Consider installing a check valve near the borewell and isolation
valves along the pipeline for easy maintenance and to prevent backflow.
3) Storage in a 7 KL Tank:
Filtered water will be stored in a 7 kiloliter (7000 liters) tank. This capacity is sufficient to meet
daily consumption needs for nearby households and the school(2000L). The storage system
ensures a buffer during peak demand or temporary interruptions in pumping. The tank should
be elevated or pressurized to maintain adequate water pressure at all delivery points, and
covered to prevent contamination.
4) Long-Run Usage and Maintenance:
To ensure a continuous supply, the pump motor shall be operated every morning to keep the
storage tank full. Regular daily operation maintains water availability, prevents stagnation, and
ensures that households and the school always have access to filtered water. Scheduled
maintenance checks on the pump and filtration system will help sustain long-term efficiency.
2.2 Solution Design
1) Standard borewell rigging rig(6-8 inches), casing(PVC pipe to prevent collapse) and
submersible pump.
2) Shortest route with minimal bends from borewell to tank.
Pipe Size: 50–75 mm PVC pipe to maintain flow rate.
Filtration Stages:
1. Sediment filter (5–20 μm)
2. Activated carbon filter (chloride removal, taste improvement)
3. Optional RO filter if TDS exceeds permissible limits.
3) Storage Tank Design
● Material Selection: HDPE for corrosion resistance or RCC for durability.
● Tank Placement: Slightly elevated or on plinth for gravity-fed distribution.
● Capacity Justification: 7,000 L ensures daily supply for estimated usage.
● Safety Features: Overflow pipe, manhole cover, inspection ports.
4) Integration & Maintenance
● Integration: Pump → Filtration → Tank → Distribution points
● Maintenance Plan:
1) Monthly inspection of borewell
2) Regular cleaning of filters (every 3–6 months)
3) Tank cleaning twice a year
3. Cost Analysis
No. Description Unit Quantity Rate (AUD) Net (AUD)
1) Light Electric Pump N/A 1 500 500
2) PVC Piping N/A 1 1500 1500
3) Basic Filtration System N/A 1 200 200
4) Drilling Contractor m 230 25 5750
5) Water Tank L 7000 150 /1000L 1050
The total cost comes around 9000 AUD.
