Rope/elephant pump

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For wells down to 35 m, rope pumps are often 5 times cheaper and more Rotating movement (constant force 5-10 Kg.m) sustainable than piston pumps. Evaluations show that rope pumps on communal wells are being maintained by the users, if introduced properly. 90% Of rope pumps remain operational, even after many years. Continous water flow Because of its low cost, the pump is also popular for domestic use. (1-2 m/s) A survey among 5,025 rural families in Nicaragua indicates that a Schematic PVC pump tubes drawing of a rope pump increases income, even if used for domestic purposes (5-10 Kg) rope pump only. Families with a pump earn US$ 220 per year more than Low pressure in all parts families without a pump. In Nicaragua the pumps are now being (0, Kg/cm) produced commercially by 20 workshops. Few, non-corroDifferent models of Rope pumps were introduced in Africa.This sive pump parts introduction has not always been successful: in some projects over 80% of the pumps do NOT work! However, with the "right" models and the "right" user training, also 90 % remain in operation in Africa, as the Victory model in Ghana and the Elephant model in Zimbabwe have proved. (PE pistons, rope, concrete guide block)

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Rope/Elephant pump , in Epworth (for credits, click the picture)

Advantages	Disadvantages
The design reduces the need to handle fresh faecal material. Shallow depth of pit required.	No full recovery of nutrients. Space required. Cleaning of the toilet must be done with small amounts of water.

Capacity

• Small / medium sized family - Capacity: about 0.5-0.75 m³ - Filling time: 6-12 months
• Family with 10 users - Capacity: about 1 m³ - Filling time: 6 months

Costs

• Construction of total system, including material and labour - About US$ 20 - 30 (Mozambique).

Applying conditions

• Numbers: 50,000 in Nicaragua, 20,000 in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanaznia, Senegal.
• Yield: 40 litres/min from 10 m depth.
• Range of depth: 1-35 meter (60 m with two cranks).
• Application Communal wells, houshold, irrigation.
• Initial cost: US$ 20-120 depending on model.
• Cost of introduction: US$ 10,000-20,000 per project, including 20 pumps, engineering and hands-on training. US$ 60,000-100,000 per project, including 1,000 pumps, production workshop and hands-on training.

External links

• Evaluations www.irc.nl
• Africa www.pumpaid.org
• General info [www.ropepump.com www.ropepump.com][www.ropepumps.org www.ropepumps.org]