Feasibility of using an MSF-designed diagnostic toolkit and portable laboratory for rapidly assessing borehole functionality and water quality in Kajokeji, South Sudan Study

Principal investigator

New User

Location

South Sudan
Topic

Climate change and environmental health
Methodology

Mixed-methods study
Reference

OCB024-13
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Study status

Concept
Protocol & ERB
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Archived

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Purpose of study

Access to safe water of good quality is among the most effective instruments in promoting health and reducing poverty. In South Sudan, access to clean and safe water remains a challenge. Borehole drilling and rehabilitation were key elements in improving the access to clean and safe water to the community. In Kajokeji county, 617 boreholes have been drilled since 2011; however, in recent years, extensive flooding and the 2016 war have severely compromised many of these water sources. Following cessation of the armed conflict, since 2019, refugees have been returning to the Kajokeji area in increasing numbers. This increase in population has put pressure on the water supply. Epidemiological data recorded by MSF-OCB (February 2023 to date) showed a high number of waterborne disease cases which may be attributed to inadequate quality drinking water. A rapid assessment by Concern Worldwide in 2019 of boreholes in the country only described whether a borehole was functioning; it did not examine the availability of the groundwater in its (hydro)geological context, the physical conditions or yields of the existing boreholes and wells and their water quality. Ideally, such an assessment would be carried out by a team with sophisticated equipment. But, due to the security situation, this kind of equipment cannot be brought to Kajokeji; everything needs to arrive by plane. In addition, weather conditions affect considerably humanitarian operations. Heavy rains and floods do not allow access for heavy equipment and trucks to the area reducing access to few months a year. In response to the need for a simpler method, using less equipment, MSF designed and built a light version of a Borehole diagnostic toolkit. It is able to move in all road conditions - muddy, dry, and on bush roads and it can assess the above- and below-ground structure and functionality of boreholes reasonably accurately. It also includes a portable laboratory that can analyze water quality on-the-spot without requiring a full laboratory. It has been piloted in boreholes around Juba and Maban but has not had a formal evaluation to date. No similar technical equipment has been described in the literature. The repopulation of Kajokeji requires access to clean drinking water and a method of assessing the neglected boreholes is urgently needed. The MSF-designed toolkit and portable laboratory may offer a solution to this problem. It has been shown to be feasible in a pilot study, but this situation provides an opportunity to both assess the status of the boreholes and determine whether using such a system was feasible.