Drilling for water is complicated. Most of the construction is underground and much can go wrong. If drillers are not paid anything for dry boreholes then all the risk is passed to them. Good drilling contract management requires an understanding of the uncertainties; stakeholders need to work together. The four steps to better drilling are: (i) preparing a procurement plan, (ii) a systematic contract award process, (iii) professional contract management, including regular communication, supervision and timely payment and (iv) monitoring and reporting after construction. If you want to learn more, download RWSN’s publication on Procurement and Contract Management of Drilled Well Construction from: rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/431