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==The Rope Pump==
[[Image:rp1.jpg|thumb|center|300px|A rope pump mounted on a well in Zambia. Using the rope pump allows the well to be covered, which vastly improves the water quality. Photo Henk Holtslag]]
In the water sector, as elsewhere, good ideas can be surprisingly old. One such old idea is the rope pump, which is over 2000 years old and was used in ancient China. A rope pump consists of a pipe that reaches down to the water, a rope or chain through the tube, washers attached to the rope that fit snugly inside the tube, and a wheel on top to draw the rope with washers through the pipe. The water is held between the washers in the pipe, and is pulled to the surface.
====Modern times====
In the 70s, R. Van Tijen of the Dutch Demotech organisation reintroduced the pump, and started using modern materials such as PVC pipes and rubber car tires. It was introduced in Africa as "rope and washer pump" as a low lift pump for irrigation and family wells in the 70s. It never really took off, probably for reasons as its low lift capacity, its "Stone Age" image, and the lack of involvement of the local private sector.
[[Image:rp2.jpg|thumb|center|300px|A rope pump mounted on a well in Zambia. Using the rope pump allows the well to be covered, which vastly improves the water quality. Photo Henk Holtslag]]
====Success in Nicaragua====
This completely changed in Nicaragua, where the rope pump was introduced in 1986. The Dutch organisation SNV worked on technical improvements and first dissemination, after which the local company [http://www.ropepump.com/ Bombas de mecate SA] made it a commercial success through sales to the private sector, and later on to NGOs and government. Now the rope pump provides over 35% of the rural water supply in Nicaragua and is produced by some 20 local workshops. A host of models has been produced, including rope pumps powered by bicycle, windmills, animal traction, and small engines.
[[Image:rp3.jpg|thumb|center|300px|Left: a rope pump used by a single household in Nicaragua. Right: a rope pump mounted on a borehole in Mozambique, supplying water for 30 families. Photos Henk Holtslag.]]
====Suitable conditions and limitations====
To help the successful introduction of the rope pump in a new area or country it is strongly advised to start with promoting the rope pump as a family pump or as a pump for irrigation used by larger groups of farmers. If it works well, usage can be expanded to communal pumps, in cooperation with local or national governments. In all cases it is strongly recommended to use updated manuals combined with training by professional organisations. After all, simple is not easy.
====Links:====
* [[Akvo_water_solution_of_the_week|Other blogs in this series]]
* [[Rope_pump|Akvopedia article on Rope pumps]]