A NGO is financing a survey for safe water in Leer County, Unity State, after a study it carried found out that shallow wells in the area were contaminated by the oil industry leaving residents without safe water supplies.
Germany based Sign of Hope has conducted a research to assess the impact of oil drilling in the water supplies for people and cattle in Leer County.Christian Hermann, a water driller who works with Sign of Hope, told SCR News that nearly all wells used by people were contaminated with chemicals used by the oil industry.
He added that the water became too salty for human consumption because rain washed the chemicals into the shallow water tables.
Mr. Hermann added that his company is bringing equipment that allows exploration drilling up to 400 meters deep to survey for safe water.
Mr. Hermann said Sign of Hope is financing the water survey and the charity will pay also for the drilling of deep wells although they are 15 times more expensive than shallow boreholes.
Mr. Hermann explained that the new deep wells will need solar powered pumps.
He added that solar pumps are very cheep and easy to maintain.