A ceramic water filter is a simple, bucket-shaped (11” wide by 10” deep) clay vessel that is made from a mix (by weight) of local terra-cotta clay and sawdust or other combustibles, such as rice husks.

A borehole is a small diameter drilled hole using a drilling rig. Borehole diameters range from 101 millimetres to 318 millimetres (4 inches to 12,5 inches). The standard drilling method is rotary percussion drilling in hard rock. In soft sediments the standard method is mud rotary drilling.

This is done by:

• Excavating the spring until the water emerges from stable ground;
• Construction of a spring capture chamber;
• Construction of a sedimentation chamber;

Hand pumps use human power to bring groundwater to the surface. The action of the pump handle results in a column of water being lifted to the surface. Since human effort is used to lift the water this is a major limiting factor.

Hand pump adaptations
Human-powered pumps include foot pumps where a person uses their legs, as opposed to their arms. Also, there are play pumps that look like merry-go-rounds.

A hand dug well is a large diameter well dug by hand. The diameter must be greater than 0.8 metres. To enable two people to dig the well it should be 1.2 metres or more. The diameter, depth of the well, and lining used (if required), can vary depending on the conditions at the site. A lining prevents collapse of the sides of the well, and can also protect the well from surface water entering and causing contamination.

Rainwater harvesting is a technology used to collect, convey and store rain for later use from relatively clean surfaces such as a roof, land surface or rock catchment. The water is generally stored in a rainwater tank or directed to recharge groundwater. Rainwater infiltration is another aspect of rainwater harvesting playing an important role in stormwater management and in the replenishment of the groundwater levels.