Blowing the well
emptying mud pit
Yesterday we drilled all day but we did not hit water. The rock we bring up is dark black mixed with quartz, a formation not particularly conducive to bearing water. The hole is now about 105 feet deep. It is disappointing to everyone; we had hoped for a really productive well but the best that can be produced from this well is about three gallons an hour.
Today we blew out the well, sank casing and cleaned up the area. The mud is thick and gritty. Our original plan to dump it in the ditch in front of the school was discarded after the pump did not work. Instead it was scooped out by shovel and bucket down the ditch by the soccer field. The owner of the very nice house next door came out and took a look; obviously not pleased and headed down to the center of town—probably to talk to the mayor.
Blowing out a well means cleaning out the mud that is in the hole; it is like a small geyser with everyone getting drips of mud on them. Then a foaming agent is used and everyone is wading ankle deep in mud and bubbles. The mud pits were filled in with dirt while PVC casing was placed in the hole. Gravel was dumped around the casing to hold it in place.
Surprisingly we were done with all of this by a little after noon. And so we headed back to Centro Kellogg to clean up and rest a bit before evening service and supper.
A bilingual service is interesting; some Spanish phrases take longer to say than the English and vice versa.
Tomorrow we go home. It has been a long week and I will be happy to be home again.
More photos are on smugmug at
http://ysr612.smugmug.com/gallery/7393651_WS8Gc#476263893_5bKPP
and
http://ysr612.smugmug.com/gallery/7394318_JZqUv#476308259_b5J6B
