WorldWide Drilling Resource

WorldWide Drilling Resource ® is proud to be a member of these international associations. New Zealand Drillers Federation, Inc. www.nzdrillersfederation.co.nz Ontario Groundwater Association Tel: 519-245-7194 Fax: 519-245-7196 ogwa@ogwa.ca • www.ogwa.ca Australian Drilling Industry Association adia@adia.com.au British Columbia Ground Water Assn. Tel: 604-530-8934 Fax: 604-530-8934 secretary@bcgwa.org • www.bcgwa.org Alberta Water Well Drilling Association Tel: 780-386-2335 awwda@xplornet.com Atlantic Water Well Association Tel: 888-242-4440 Fax: 902-435-0089 nsgwa@ns.aliantzinc.ca • www.nsgwa.ca 37 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2015 Water for Life International by Tim Rasmussen Wear and Tear One of the problems we face in Guatemala is the result of the heavy use of hand pumps. We count Baker Manufacturing as one of our supporters, and they make available the best hand pumps at prices we can afford. Pumps with brass cylinders, heavy castings, and stainless steel pump rods are used. These pumps are engineered to be tough, and they can normally be expected to give many years of good service with- out repair. The uses we put them to are not normal. There are often 300-400 people in a village. Because of this, the pumps are in constant use. The water is usually high in iron and high in particulates, and this might contribute to the wear rates. We have found, in some villages, the pump will need to be serviced with new leathers every three or four years or less. The holes in some of the pump han- dles wear oval, and other holes get wal- lowed out and the joint gets sloppy. The threaded brass bushing guiding the pump rod gets worn to the threads, and some- times beyond. We have had to replace handles and other parts, and we have been looking at ways to address this wear problem. We have tried to weld material into the hole and then drill it out, but it is really not satisfactory. During a recent trip to a dentist in Santa Elena (who is from Spain and has as good equipment as a dentist in the U.S. and speaks very good English), Gary noticed a very nice looking machine shop. He went in and saw good milling equipment. The owner was immediately knowledgeable as Gary explained to him what we needed done. The next time Gary went to Santa Elena, he took a new handle and a few worn ones and other parts needing re- pair. In all, there needed to be 17 bush- ings installed. The owner looked it all over, said he could help us, and gave us a price of about 200 Quetzals for each bushing installed, and he would supply the bushings. That is about $25. In a few days, Gary went back and picked up the handles and other parts. The work appeared to have been done carefully. The bushings were installed, looked right, and the parts repainted. Gary learned he made the bushings out of 1-inch bar stock and drilled out the 5/8-inch hole. Perhaps this prob- lem is solved. Time and use will tell. We will give them plenty of both. If you would like to help, please contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-466-5075 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail at michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Worn holes. & ! $ # & # " ! $ # & # & " & ! " & " $ # & & ! & " & & "! " ! & " " ! ! ! !% $ # "! !