Water World

Water4 Foundation was formed on August 26, 2008, by Dick and Terri Greenly. Their idea emerged after a first trip to Asia to install a solar pump in a remote area of the country.

On that trip, Greenly ended up installing 20+ solar pump projects in several Asian countries and Sierra Leone. He and Terri founded the Water4 Foundation to provide water access to the 1.2 billion people without adequate water supplies and to the 4,700 kids stricken with diarrhea daily.

I was fortunate enough to talk with Christopher W. Cotner, executive director of the Water4 Foundation.

“Water4's focus is on training, equipping and supporting groups and people who have identified water as a component of larger development strategy — whether that be a church plant, an orphanage, a school, or overall community development,” Chris explained.

“After our first trip to Samfya Zambia, the Water4 project was solidified,“ Chris continued. “We wanted to (a) determine if the was feasible to drill water wells by hand in that area of Zambia, (b) install two different kinds of water pumps — a solar and a hand pump — and (c) train several of the nationals on the hand-drilling and pump installation processes. All the purposes were achieved.”

The national team that was trained has gone on to start a well-drilling business and the local water commissioner has hired the company to drill wells throughout the region.

Tonic: Why the Water4 Foundation method?

Cotner: We use “Waller” or “Baptist” method of hand drilling for water wells.

Tonic: “Waller” or “Baptist Method"?

Cotner: Our hand-drilling rig uses an abrasion-resistant steel drill bit and a bronze check valve on the end of a steel pipe which is sourced and purchased “in country" to hand drill a bore hole, up to depths as deep as approximately 150 feet.

Tonic: How long does that take?

Chris: Anywhere from one to three days. Sometimes longer.

Tonic: What is the cost associated with this method as opposed to others?

Chris: One Water4 Foundation drill locker costs $2,000 and could drill up to 50 wells. This method can also be used to deepen wells that never go dry but are unprotected. These unprotected wells can be drilled deeper, disinfected, and then completed properly with a hand pump that Water4 offers or another style of hand pump depending on the needs of the area.

Water4 can train a group or go with a group and hand drill water wells to about 150 feet, even going through rock as hard as quartzite (although that does take a little time).

You can learn more about Water4 Foundation here, see photos of how they work here, and take a look at some of their work in Zambia here.

To get involved or see how you can help Water4 contact:

Christopher W. Cotner
Executive Director
Water4 Foundation
P.O. Box 8304
Edmond, OK 73083-8304
Telephone: 405-694-5214

Photo: Water4 Foundation work in Zambia (Courtesy of Water4 Foundation).