Groundwater - Stone hammer well drilling

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The previous drilling methods are not suitable for hard soil formations, so ongoing development led to the Stone-hammer. This method consists of a heavy hammer hitting directly on a hollow drill-head. Although it does not penetrate very hard stone such as basalt, it is a tougher option than the Rota-sludge method. This technology is being refined further in India and Nicaragua.

The Stone-hammer method has won a competition for innovative irrigation technologies organized by the World Bank, Winrock and IDE (International Development Enterprises).

The Stone-hammer in India, drilling a 20 m deep well in a stony layer

Advantages	Disadvantages
Cheaper and easier to maintain than motorized drilling rigs. Drill in very hard soil	Slower than motorized drilling rigs.

Capacity

2-5 inch wells to 40 meter.

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Costs

20-60% less then hand dug wells.

Applying conditions

Cost of introduction: Variable US$ 15,000 - 30,000 per project, including: production drill set, drawings, hands-on training, first wells.

Stone Hammer Drilling Manual

PRACTICA foundation and ETC Energy have put together a manual on the Rota Sludge & Stone Hammer drilling: Volume I Drilling Manual, Volume II Production Manual

External links

• www.worldbank.org
• www.practicafoundation.nl