FAQ's
Q: Where in India are your projects?
A: The majority of our projects are located in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Odisha.
Q: How much does it cost to drill a well?
A: A typical hand pump project in a village is $2,500. If the project is for a school or community which requires a submersible pump and large syntec tank, then we ask for $3,500.
Q: How much do you spent on administration or overhead expenses vs. projects or programs?
A: Less than 10% is spent on administrative related expenses; we have no real overhead since we don’t rent any land, equipment or buildings. Over 90% of the donations received are used on program related expenses.
Q: How do I give?
Q: Do you provide water to schools and orphanages?
A: Yes, many of our projects benefit public and private schools as well as orphanages. A project for a school or orphanage varies in cost based upon the needs; the range is $3,500 to $7,000.
Q: Why doesn’t the Indian government provide the wells?
A: The government is trying and a directive to provide safe drinking water to every village has been launched yet the implementation has been difficult. 70% of Indians live in rural places and many are in tribal, forest and other hard to reach areas which is where organizations such as Wells for Life® can be of usefulness. Entering into the remote places and providing life’s most basic requirement – safe water.
Q: Who runs your drilling projects?
A: We utilize Indian partners who are already working in the rural areas providing a variety of programs aimed at helping empower the poor and destitute. So in a sense, we are empowering the Indians to be more effective and successful in helping their own people. Nothing is imported from the outside; local labor, material and supplies along with Indian contractors are used which makes for a successful venture.
Q: Why water wells?
A: Quite simply because water is life.
Within India, water borne diseases are a major cause of sickness and even death among infants and children Additionally, much of rural India is suffering from water scarcity or the access that they do have isn’t safe for drinking.
Q: Who maintains the well once it is completed?
A: Our goal is to empower the community to look after their project and this often happens through a village leader or president, a self-help group taking the lead and ensuring its continued usefulness.
Q: Who pays for any repairs?
A: We request the receiving community to look after all associated costs for pump repair or replacement. All parts are Indian made and generally repairs are quite easily made without the need for outside intervention.
Q: How long does a water project last?
A: We estimated the useful life of a hand pump bore well project to be at least 10 years minimum
Q: Is Wells for Life® involved in anything other than water?
A: Yes, all of our partners are involved in areas beyond water. Medical camps, Education programs, Orphan Care, Micro Finance are just a few of the outreach areas our partners are making an impact in.
Q: How do I get involved?
A: Involvement best comes financially and by spreading the news as to who we are and what we are doing.