Mercy Hospital deepens well, upgrades pump in preparation for OR

by Kim Sprout, Director of Medical Projects

​In anticipation of increased water needs at Mercy with the addition of the Operating Suite, Mercy Hospital's well was recently re-dug.  Around 37 feet deep originally, workers dug by hand to add another 5 feet for a total of 42 feet. This depth is equivalent to the height of a 4-story building!  As with most construction projects in the region, all work was done by hand.  Workers deepened the well by sending a man down to the bottom without even a ladder or footholds, and then sent up the mud bucket by bucket, using a pulley system. 

This project included the addition of a more powerful 2 HP pump.  Combined with a deeper well, Mercy now has a reliable source of water sufficient for the anticipated increase in demand once the OR is up and running.  This will also ensure a consistent water supply, as Mercy suffers from lack of water in the dry season.

Mercy Hospital well provides all the water needed for hospital functions. The well was deepened five feet (by hand) and more powerful pump was installed.