Camp Ñu Poí

Well No. 6

Ñu Poí Brethren Church Camp in Santaní

Hand Pump Details

Because of the shallow depth to rock, and the resulting shallow well depth, we were not able to successfully install an electric submersible pump at this well. When we installed the pump, the 3 meters of water above the pump intake was quickly drawn down, and the pump sucked air. We tried a flow reducer, but could not find a low enough flow to balance the inflow to the well. So - we decided to install a hand pump. Mike Meiers, the missionary that started and runs the camp, was very pleased with this solution because it gives them an alternative source of water when the electricity is out - which happens often there. Plus - the water from the hand pump is nice and cool, which will make it quite popular during our 100+ degree summer days.

Using the tri-pod to install the pump cylinder and drop pipe

Although we have drilled many wells in Paraguay, and installed a lot of electric pumps, this was our first hand pump. Therefore, we were a bit anxious that it would all work out well. The Lord blessed our work and we installed the pump without a hitch in just 4 hours. Alwyn Weastal, Mike's son-in-law, was a great help since he had done a similar job in New Zealand at a farm where he worked before coming to Paraguay.

Alwyn connecting the "sucker rods" which activate the plunger in the pump cylinder while Ed "supervises".

The pipe vice that we used to secure the pipe - 50 feet of 1 1/4" galvanized pipe can be quite heavy!

Adriano trying out the pump - IT WORKS!!

Our first hand pump - a picture only a drilling missionary could love.

So we were quite pleased that all went so smoothly and we got the job done without loosing anything down the hole, or braking anything or hurting anyone.

We give God the GLORY!

For those who want to read about the technical details of the well, click here.