Talicourtou Well

  • Location: Talicourtou, Sédhiou Region, Senegal
  • Theme: Access to drinking water
  • Technology: Solar energy, microfiltration, UV
  • Beneficiaries: 800 people
  • Status: Completed and active
  • Goal: Reduce diseases

In Talicourtou, finding safe drinking water was a daily challenge. The old traditional wells, only about 8 meters deep, were easily emptied and contaminated, putting the health of the entire community at risk. The well built by Balouo Salo in 2016 and renovated in 2025 has transformed this situation: with a depth of 20 meters, a solar pump, and a UV and microfiltration system, it now provides pure water every day to over 800 people.

It is not just infrastructure, but also education: the community actively participated in the construction, received training on water management, and is now autonomous in maintaining the system. Today, the well represents a landmark for the community — not only water, but also inclusiveness. This infrastructure is a place of community.

The Project

Deep well at Talicourtou built by Balouo Salo Drinking water well at Talicourtou by Balouo Salo

In Talicourtou, in southern Senegal, access to drinking water was a daily mirage: contaminated and seasonal sources put the health of the entire population at risk, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly. In this critical context, Balouo Salo built a deep well that today represents a model of sustainability, health, and inclusion.

Powered by photovoltaic systems, the new infrastructure provides free drinking water to thousands

Where it is located

The Talicourtou well is an advanced example of a sustainable and replicable water infrastructure, designed to ensure continuous, safe, and accessible drinking water. It is the deepest well constructed within a 10 km radius, featuring a high-strength concrete casing up to 20 meters deep to guarantee durability.

A submersible pump powered by solar energy enables water extraction via a dedicated photovoltaic system, ensuring autonomy and continuous operation even during the hottest periods of the year.

Custom microfiltration and double sterilization
The filtration system was specifically designed based on the chemical and physical characteristics of the source water. After extraction, the water undergoes a multi-stage treatment including sand filters, activated carbon, 1 to 5 micron cartridges, and bacteriostatic filters to remove impurities, tastes, and odors. This is followed by two stages of UV sterilization: an initial phase to sanitize the raw water and a final one before distribution, ensuring complete disinfection in line with WHO standards.

Technical Features

Details of the deep well at Talicourtou by Raoul Vecchio Drinking water distribution at Talicourtou

Results

60-70%
reduction of diseases linked to contaminated water use, such as diarrhea, cholera, and giardiasis
800+
people with direct access to safe drinking water, 24/7, free of charge
1,000+
indirect beneficiaries in nearby villages now relying on a reliable water source
>70%
estimated reduction in risk of child mortality and malnutrition thanks to access to clean water

Location

Talicourtou
Commune of Baghere
Sédhiou Region
Senegal, Africa