Mkutani, Tanzania Borehole Project

Location: Mkutani, Kongwa, Tanzania (Project Latitude & Longitude: -5.874 , 36.309). Mkutani Primary School is located in the center of the hamlet in Kongwa district, on topographic map sheet 144/4 in Hogoro's southwest corner.

Phase 4 costs: ~26k
$9900.00 materials and contractor (1.2 km, 2-inch diameter distribution line from the tank throughout the village)
$3000 tap stands (12 per Tanzania National Water Policy 2002 of one water point for every 250 persons in a rural village)
$8000 travel and daily expenses for four persons (Boston to Tanzania)
$2500 in-country support (community liaison, translators, etc)
$2500 in-country transport (vehicles, drivers, fuel)
TOTAL $25,900.00

Background: This project began around 2015 with the planning of the overall water system. A successful borehole was dug in May 2016 followed by the provision of a solar-driven submersible pump in 2018. The scope of this project consists of the following: excavate install piping, install fittings, flow meters, backfill, build and outfit distribution boxes, and test all lines.

The principal drainage system in Mkutani Village is an ephemeral river named Masena River. It originates on the village's southeast boundary and drains into the Kinyasungwe River in the far northeast. During the dry season, this river is the primary supply for the building of dug wells. The river floods quickly during the rainy season, discharging multiple times as much water as there is available during times of low flow. The Dodoma Region's climate can be regarded as a dry type arid climate with a protracted dry season of six to eight months and a rainy season of five to six months. It is characterized by a distinct dry and wet season and a noticeable water deficit throughout the majority of the year. The Dodoma Archaean rocks, which have experienced numerous geological deformations, include Mkutani Primary School. Following a thorough reconnaissance assessment, the optimal location for deep water well drilling within the school grounds was determined through the use of magnetic profiling and vertical electrical sounding. The location demonstrated to have a high probability of groundwater occurrences based on the topographical features of the Mkutani village, the geological data, the hydrogeological parameters of the existing boreholes in the neighborhood, supported by currently collected geophysical data.

EWB-BC was assigned with Phase 4, which will be the implementation of an additional borehole. This will be the final step in bringing clean water into the Village. This will benefit the entire village of Mkutani because individuals will no longer have to walk multiple kilometers to obtain clean water, will just need to obtain water from the village center.

Project Scope: Mkutani Primary School drilling should go up to 140 m deep and water-bearing zones are expected at 10-25 m, 45-55 m, and deeper aquifers at 75-95 m and 100-130 m. Drilling should commence with the exploration water well and should start with a bit of 262.5mmθ (10½ inches diameter) telescopically to 253.12mmθ (10⅛ inches diameter). This gives a cased production well of diameter of 200mmθ. (8 inches diameter). Drilling can be stopped by the supervisor due to the hardness of drilling as the rock formation approaches its freshness. Samples should be taken at an interval of 2m for lithological logging. In each strike, the water must be tasted to avoid saline water intrusion into the well since the areas are famous for hard water due to mineral occurrences in the granite/gneiss formation overlaid by thick superficial deposits. Since the rock formations are highly weathered and fractured, casing must be installed at the bottom of the well to avoid rock collapsing into the well. Gravel packing material should be clean to avoid clogging the screen openings and shall be of pier-size rounded grains graded between 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm in diameter well sorted and comprised of at least 90% quartzite or quartz material. These shall be poured into the annular space between the hole and the PVC permanent casings down to the bottom of the hole and should cover all water strikes which will then be overlain by the backfill materials and followed by at least 1m cement grouting to the surface for prevention of contamination. Well development for 3 hrs must be carried out to ensure that all rock cuttings are taken out of the well and the water is clear enough for pumping test. A pumping test must be conducted for at least 12 hrs followed by a recovery test. A step draw-down test is very much recommended. Water samples must be collected towards the end of the pumping test and be taken to the water laboratory for quality test before use. Well disinfection shall be done at the end of the pumping test and the well shall be capped for future uses.

Implementation Trip Date: May 2026