Afridev pump

The Afridev pump. Photo: RWSN

The Afridev pump is popular and well-liked. Photo: RWSN

The Afridev Pump is a conventional lever action handpump. It is designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of up to 300 persons. The maximum recommended lift is 45 m. The Afridev Pump is a public domain pump defined by RWSN specifications. The Afridev Pump is fully corrosion resistant, easy to install and has excellent potential for community-based maintenance.

The configuration includes an “open top” cylinder: the piston can be removed from the cylinder without dismantling the rising main. The foot valve is retractable with a fishing tool.

This pump is also known as the Deep-well piston handpump.

Depths to be used:	10-45 m
Cylinder diameter:	50.0 mm
Maximum Stroke:	225 mm
Approx. discharge (75 watt input):	at 10 m head: 1.4 m³/hour at 15 m head: 1.1 m³/hour at 20 m head: 0.9 m³/hour at 30 m head: 0.7 m³/hour
Pumping lift:	10 - 45 m
Population served:	~ 300 people
Households:	30 - 50 hh
Water consumption:	15 - 20 lt/per capita
Type of well:	borehole or dug well

Construction, operations and maintenance

Pump head, handle and pump stand are made of galvanised steel, pump rods of stainless steel or of FRP rods (fibre glass reinforced plastic), rising main of PVC-U pipe (Ø 63 mm), cylinder of PVC-U pipe with brass liner (Ø 50 mm), plunger and foot valve are of brass or plastic. This pump is fully corrosion resistant.

All steel parts of this pump have a potential for local manufacturing. Local companies who manufacture PVC-U pipes and have the knowledge of processing engineering plastics are able to produce the “down-hole components”. Tooling cost are high and therefore the number of manufacturer will be limited.

The installation of the Afridev Pump is not difficult and does not need any lifting equipment. It is however recommended to employ a well-trained crew with the necessary skills for the installation.

This pump has an excellent “Community Management Potential”, it is reliable, easy to repair by a village caretaker and popular with the communities.

Field experiences

The following projects utilize the Afridev pump.


RSR Project 814 Malima Well Restoration	RSR Project 894 Senjeh Well Restoration	RSR Project 896 Gboto Well Restoration	RSR Project 897 Behsee Town Well Restoration	RSR Project 898 Lebeh Well Restoration


RSR Project 899 James Town Well Restoration	RSR Project 900 >Pifley Town Well Restoration	RSR Project 902 Tomah Town Well Restoration	RSR Project 907 Billy Town Well Restoration	RSR Project 910 Amalu Well Restoration