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For wells down The previous drilling methods are not suitable for hard soil formations, so ongoing development led to 35 m, rope pumps are often five times cheaper and more sustainable than piston pumps. Evaluations show that rope pumps on communal wells are being maintained by the users, if introduced properlyStone-hammer. 90% This method consists of rope pumps remain operational, even after many yearsa heavy hammer hitting directly on a hollow drill-head. Because of its low costAlthough it does not penetrate very hard stone such as basalt, the pump it is also popular for domestic use. A survey among 5,025 rural families in Nicaragua indicates that a rope pump increases income, even if used for domestic purposes only. Families with a pump earn US$ 220 per year more tougher option than families without a pump. In Nicaragua the pumps are now being produced commercially by 20 workshops. Different models of Rope pumps were introduced in AfricaRota-sludge method. This introduction has not always been successful: technology is being refined further in some projects over 80% of the pumps do NOT work! However, with the "right" models India and the "right" user training, upto 90% remain in operation in Africa, as the Victory model in Ghana and the Elephant model in Zimbabwe have provedNicaragua.
The Stone-hammer method has won a competition for innovative irrigation technologies organized by the World Bank, Winrock and IDE (International Development Enterprises). [[Image:Stone_hammer_well_drilling.PNG|thumb|right|150px|[[Rope pump | Rope pump ]]The Stone-hammer in India, (Victory model) on drilling a hand-dug of 20 meters m deep well, made in a local workshop in northern Ghana stony layer ]]
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