Equipment List

Drilling Rig

For drilling boreholes, WHI uses the ultra-rugged PAT Drill 301 TP air/mud rotary rig. The rig was shipped in from Thailand to South Sudan right from the factory. WHI selected this rig for its robust rock-drilling capability, which is vital for drilling in this area. The rig uses a progressive cavity mud pump as well for soft geological formations in which mud drilling is required. The PAT 301 TP is trailer mounted and very nimble, thus allowing the drill crew to traverse rocky and unstable terrain to reach remote villages where clean water does not exist. Drilling speed on the PAT 301 TP varies depending on formation, however the average 50 meter borehole requires 8 - 12 hours of straight drilling if moderate rock is encountered. To power the drill rig during air drilling, a 550 CFM / 15 PSI Atlas Copco diesel compressor is utilized. The air from the compressor is rammed down through the drill pipe, creating a positive upflow that carries debris and crushed rock around the drill string and up to the surface where it exits the borehole. 

Hand Pumps

WHI uses India Mark II and Mark II Extra Deep hand pumps for our boreholes, which are the industry standard for water projects in developing countries. These hand pumps can go as deep as 100 meters to draw water from aquifers and are extremely durable. WHI uses both galvanized and stainless steel riser main, connecting rods, and pump cylinders to combat corrosion that naturally occurs over time. In instances where a high saline water content is identified, stainless steel parts are used to deter corrosion.

Another reason that WHI uses the India Mark series pumps is that most of villages in our area of operation are used to using this type of pump. Often times drilling organizations will drill a well in a village without authorization from the village on what type of pump they prefer, causing hesitation among the community due to their lack of knowledge on how to effectively operate, manage, and repair the pump. WHI ensures that the community is comfortable and confident with the new India Mark pump that they receive at the completion of a water project.

Vehicles

For navigating the tough and rugged terrain in South Sudan, WHI uses a 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser, Tata Lorry 4WD for equipment transfer, and three Yamaha motorcycles. 4WD is a must for vehicles in South Sudan, especially during the rainy season. Often times the crew will have to traverse unmanaged terrain to access villages. Driving through grass six foot tall grass or more with no visible road or trails is the norm in South Sudan. Navigating through streams with steep banks, crater-filled roads, and thick semi-tropical jungles are daily encounters and require equipment that is ultra reliable. The nearest availability of parts for the vehicles is days and weeks away if something breaks or accident occures, thus extreme caution is always taken by the crew when they are moving from site to site.