This dataset captures detailed information on borehole drilling and construction activities conducted across selected sites in Malawi between 2018 and 2024. Data were collected using the mWater digital platform, documenting each stage of groundwater development, from site selection and hydrogeological studies to drilling operations, borehole design, and post-construction assessments.
The dataset includes variables on location and site suitability, survey and geophysical methods, drilling parameters, equipment and safety compliance, geological formations encountered, casing and gravel pack details, and initial water quality measurements. Together, these data provide a comprehensive technical record of Malawi’s borehole development process.
Potential Use Cases
This dataset is valuable to a wide range of stakeholders, including:
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Government Water Departments and District Councils: for monitoring drilling quality, verifying contractor performance, and maintaining an updated inventory of functional water points.
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Development Partners and NGOs: for planning new water supply interventions, assessing borehole performance, and improving accountability in donor-funded projects.
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Hydrogeologists and WASH Engineers: for analyzing aquifer characteristics, drilling efficiency, and the relationship between geology and borehole productivity.
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Researchers and Academic Institutions: for studying groundwater development practices, environmental sustainability, and data-driven approaches to rural water supply.
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Policy Makers and Regulators: for strengthening national standards, promoting data transparency, and improving decision-making in the water resources sector.
You can install the development version of drillingdata from GitHub with:
# install.packages("devtools")
devtools::install_github("openwashdata/drillingdata")## Run the following code in console if you don't have the packages
## install.packages(c("dplyr", "knitr", "readr", "stringr", "gt", "kableExtra"))
library(dplyr)
library(knitr)
library(readr)
library(stringr)
library(gt)
library(kableExtra)Alternatively, you can download the individual datasets as a CSV or XLSX file from the table below.
- Click Download CSV. A window opens that displays the CSV in your browser.
- Right-click anywhere inside the window and select “Save Page As…”.
- Save the file in a folder of your choice.
| dataset | CSV | XLSX |
|---|---|---|
| drillingdata | Download CSV | Download XLSX |
The package provides access to the variables on location and site suitability, survey and geophysical methods, drilling parameters, equipment and safety compliance, geological formations encountered, casing and gravel pack details, and initial water quality measurements
library(drillingdata)The dataset drillingdata contains data 152 observations and 138
variables
drillingdata |>
head(3) |>
gt::gt() |>
gt::as_raw_html()| date_of_drilling | water_point_created | latitude | longtude | use_of_waterpoint | other_useage | funding_source | wrb1a_form_completed | contract_signed | community_agreement | gov_supervisor_available | drilling_contractor | driller_licensed | staff_experienced | drilling_rig_model | compressor_specs | equipment_condition | safety_features_condition | equipment_capability | equipment_capability_specs | ppe_available | drilling_equipment_image | location_selection_methodology | hydrogeological_study_done | geophysical_survey_done | min_distance_50m_from_contamination | distance_from_contamination | location_accessible | location_suitable_for_drilling | distance_from_water_bodies | location_photo | perimeter_fence | staff_protected | parking_area | emergency_access | suitable_distance_from_power_lines | distance | materials_stored_safely | chemicals_stored_safely | first_aid_kit | fire_extinguisher | adquate_welfare_facilities | welfare_facilities_distance | site_setup_preliminaries_completed | rig_setup_properly | reference_point | reference_point_height | rig_level_method | rig_setup_problems | setup_problems | drill_rod_length | min_diameter_177mm | min_diameter | casing_stored_properly | where_stored | why_not_properly_stored | index_1 | rod_number | depth_from_1 | depth_to_1 | circulation_method | drill_bit_type | drilling_diameter_mm | time_taken_in_minutes | drilling_comments | water_strike_in_miters | index_2 | depth_from_2 | depth_to_2 | temp_casing_material | temp_casing_diameter | index_3 | depth_from_3 | depth_to_3 | rock_or_soil_type | colour | weathering | grain_size_description | sorting | additional_description | formation_name | index_4 | hole_depth_1 | discharge_rate_1 | discharge_measurement_method | ec_ms_cm_1 | tds_mgl_1 | ph_1 | temp_celcius_1 | comments_1 | borehole_depth_miters | water_level | measurement_date | borehole_suitable_further_use | installation_design_available | design_agreed_by_driller | date_casing_installation | materials_meet_standards | materials_pre_inspected | Index (8) | inner_diameter | outer_diameter | material_1 | slot_aperture | end_cap_fitted | centralisers_fitted | casing_connection_type | index_9 | depth_from_4 | depth_to_4 | casing_inner_diameter | casing_material | casing_material_strength | slotted | gravel_pack_clean | gravel_pack_quality | index_10 | depth_from_5 | depth_to_5 | gravel_min_grain_size | gravel_max_grain_size | gravel_pack_final_level | static_water_level_pre_dev | index_11 | duration | method | index_12 | time | lift_depth | discharge_rate | ec_ms_cm_3 | tds_mg_l_2 | ph_3 | temp_c_2 | turbidity_ntu | sediment | static_water_level_post_dev | final_borehole_design_summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/09/2018 | Yes | -14.90580 | 34.83156 | Other | Water supply to infrastructure distributing to Balaka region | The Scottish Government | Yes | Yes | Yes | Alex Makwinja | OG Madzi | Yes | Yes | PRD 12 tonne | ELGi, PG 1100S - 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 120m of rods | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/765588b65a24479bbfcc14fde2ffd918; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/fbf50f1e43b04c90b10ae74fc1b2b36b; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/c83f1d6517fa42e1be36192b6670b092; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/b6bc9b43b9f94e7988bb412bdd406996; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/88270b575a16468d9fe271b262cd997c; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/ebaf5f4897594eb8b43d85a900a3b5e2; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/0d31be9d11a84bdaaa793926844115fa | The Malawi Government chose potential locations, desk study from UoS Hydrogeologists and Malawi government geophysical surveying identified suitable location and position of drilling site. | Yes | Yes | Yes | 56m | Yes | Yes | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/bd2c21f294214c1f8927456a65200ad4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20m | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Drilling/Rotary Table | 1.21 | Spirit level on rods | No | NA | 5 | Yes | 355.6mm | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 53.37 | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9/28/2018 | Yes | Yes | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | Solvent Cement | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | Yes | Yes | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 14.5 | 15.72 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 15.72 | NA |
| 07/12/2018 | Yes | -15.80755 | 35.27729 | Community | NA | Scottish Government | No | Yes | Yes | Susan WMA Chiradzulu Water Office | OG Madzi Drilling Company | Yes | Yes | PRD | ELGI PG 6005 - 200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/897ca28c2bda40efa2653b51b4fa6922; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/ba0f3386a2704a1f82d2dd1842c5c082; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/c66bcc72c33d49d3be39363146a24728; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/1c54e24b6a2c443ebf2010634139280f; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/43e2adfbac654f66841f77db92d34329; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/be6b18111db3416584c324c29396f1cb; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/7bf5d9afa0214f1193814db054668c01; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/cf8f6101231543b08b77bd076bf7472f; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/ba74595462274e4ab993bf23b963ec2b; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/ec2e2f1e8de04d009f14a4f755ff9988 | Hydrogelogical Desk Study Needs Assessment Pumping tests at nearby boreholes Geophysical Survey | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/6f125ad67b124305ada664ecf6bd20d6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Drilling/Rotary Table | 1.26 | Spirit level on rods | No | NA | 3 | Yes | NA | Yes | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 55.26 | NA | NA | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 06/12/2018 | Yes | -15.78484 | 35.23571 | Community | NA | Scottish Government | No | Yes | Yes | Susan WMA Chiradzulu District Water Office | OG Madzi Drilling Company | Yes | Yes | PRD | ELGI PG 6005 - 200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/7462ad48f9da48b5a9e606565affd2e6; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/39d841a4f63a46eab6d50f0b987e77b7; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/266edc03cb5a4008b45cf0fe94a69544; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/850bc036169947d891d48a365b97390c; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/873ca691d45f48f79d77e551a1866bc5; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/3df98fa3eabb4f9b86eacfe9c5edcf40; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/8489d502dbf241468f98076e3125f969; https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/037f158004eb4d5a9dc88fd5a42479fd | Hydrogeology Desk Study Needs Assessment Inital forensics at nearby wells Pumping tests at nearby wells Geophysical survey | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | No | Yes | Yes | https://api.mwater.co/v3/images/81b39c16b2384c1799095196de24ac6c | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | NA | Yes | Yes | Drilling/Rotary Table | 1.30 | Spirit level on rods | No | NA | 3 | Yes | NA | Yes | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 55.30 | NA | NA | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
For an overview of the variable names, see the following table.
library(drillingdata)
# Histogram of Borehole Depths
# Load required packages
library(ggplot2)
library(dplyr)
# prepare data
boreholes_clean <- drillingdata %>%
mutate(depth_m = as.numeric(borehole_depth_miters)) %>%
filter(!is.na(depth_m)) # remove missing values
# Plot graph
ggplot(boreholes_clean, aes(x = depth_m)) +
geom_histogram(binwidth = 10, fill = "skyblue", color = "black", alpha = 0.8) +
labs(
title = "Distribution of Borehole Depths",
subtitle = "Number of boreholes in different depth ranges",
x = "Borehole Depth (meters)",
y = "Number of Boreholes"
) +
theme_minimal(base_size = 14)
Data are available as CC-BY.
Please cite this package using:
citation("drillingdata")
#> To cite package 'drillingdata' in publications use:
#>
#> Mhango E, Rattray J, MacLeod S, Bwanyula F (2025). _drillingdata:
#> Borehole Drilling and Construction Data – Malawi, 2018 - 2024_. R
#> package version 0.0.0.9000,
#> <https://github.com/openwashdata/drillingdata>.
#>
#> A BibTeX entry for LaTeX users is
#>
#> @Manual{,
#> title = {drillingdata: Borehole Drilling and Construction Data – Malawi, 2018 - 2024},
#> author = {Emmanuel Mhango and Jamie Rattray and Shaun MacLeod and Feston Bwanyula},
#> year = {2025},
#> note = {R package version 0.0.0.9000},
#> url = {https://github.com/openwashdata/drillingdata},
#> }