Description

Rope pumps have a wheel, a rope and washers to lift the water.

Advantages compared to Afridev pumps

• 3 to 5 times cheaper
• Simpler in construction
• Easier to install and repair
• Local production so low cost spares are available
• Fit for small communities
• Can be an option where Afridev pumps are too expensive

Disadvantages compared to Afridev pumps

• Is not fit for large communities, max. number of users 150
• Requires more frequent maintenance.
• Has less “Hi-tech” look
• Is a semi open pump so water in the well could be contaminated by the rope.

(Studies indicate that in similar wells, and good quality pump and installation, the water quality from a Rope pump is hardly less than water quality from piston pumps like an Afridev pump.)

Information

• Rope pumps can pump from wells of 1 to 35 meters deep
• Fits on any size hand dug well and Tube wells with casings of 2 to 6 inch
• Pump capacity; 0 – 10m deep-35 l/min, 10 – 20m deep-18 l/min, 20- 35m deep-9 l/min
• Cost : 100 – 130 US$ (Off workshop . Well cover ca 40 US$)

Description

Rope pump model 2 is an economic version of Model 1

Advantages of Model 2 compared to model 1

• 30% cheaper
• The pump can be bought in Steps. The wheel cover is optional and can be bought later on when the family has funds later on
• All parts are galvanised pipes
• All parts are welded, no bolts
• Is easier, faster  to produce

Disadvantages of Model 2 compared to Model 1

• When bushings are worn out the   whole pump has to be taken to the  workshop
• If handle is ½”pipe, it is less sturdy than a handle of  ¾”

Information

• Rope pump model 2 has the same features as Model 1
• Cost : 70 – 90 US$  (Off workshop. Metal wheel cover ca 15 US$ )
• Producers: Info at all SMART Centre

Description

Rope pump model 3 is mounted on poles and is the most  economic version Rope pump

Advantages of Model 3 compared to Model 2

• 15% cheaper
• Does not have a wheel cover (the wheel cover is optional)
• Can be mounted on any size of well
• Can be installed without a well cover
• Is easier to produce, install.
• Handle can be mounted at 1 meter or higher to fill up a water tank.

Disadvantages of Model 3 compared to Model 2

• Requires wood poles.
• The wood poles need to be good quality and /or treated against termites or rotting.
• In loose soil, the poles start moving if not set in concrete
• Looks less Hi Tech

Information

• Rope pump Model 3 has the same features as other Rope pump models
• It is a first step model and can be installed without a well cover
• If money is available a Well and / or wheel cover can be bought
• Fits on any hand dug well and Tube well with casings of 2 to 6 inch
• Cost: 50 – 70 US$ (Off workshop, Excl. well cover)
• Producers: Info at all SMART Centre

Description

The Canzee pump is a direct action and high quality hand pump

Advantages compared to Rope Pumps

• The metal parts like pump rod is stainless steel so no corrosion
• Only one washer instead of many washers

Disadvantages compared to Rope Pumps

• A bit more expensive
• Needs costly tools like a lathe for production
• Needs some special parts like stainless steel
• Needs a centralised production. Rope pumps can be produced decentralised with tools that are available in most blacksmith workshops.

Information

• Can pump from wells of 10 – 20 meters deep
• Can be installed on hand dug well or tube wells with diameters of 4 to 6 inch
• Cost;10 m deep well: 120 – 150 US$ (off workshop)
• Producers; Wells for Zoe. SMART Centre Malawi

Description

EMAS pump is a small diameter piston pump with a pump rod of a PVC pipe The water is lifted inside this pipe

Advantages of the EMAS pump compared to Rope pumps

• 10 to 30% cheaper than Model 1
• Simpler in construction
• Can lift water up to 20 meters high so can fill up elevated water tanks on a stand or a roof
• Fits in a very small Tube well so can be combined with low cost tube wells
• Can be produced with local materials

Disadvantages of the EMAS pump compared to Rope pumps

• It has an up and down movement which some people do not like
• Has 20-30% lower pump capacity
• Plastic parts becomes brittle in sunlight over time, and needs regular replacement
• Is not widely known in Malawi so needs training and a critical mass to scale up

Information

• EMAS pumps are used in Bolivia ( 30.000 installed)
• EMAS pumps can pump from wells of 1 to 35 meters deep
• Fits on hand dug wells and Tube wells with casings as small as 5 inch
• Pump capacity; 0 – 10m deep-25 l/min, 10 – 35m deep-15 l/min
• Cost : 50 – 70 US$ (Off workshop)
• Producers: Info SMART Centre Tanzania