Kabul pump

The Kabul pump is a conventional lever action handpump. Parts of the Kabul and Afridev pump are the same and easily interchangeable. It is a pump designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of 300 persons. The maximum recommended lift is 15 m. The pump is not fully corrosion resistant; rods are subject to rusting. The Kabul pump is a public domain pump defined by RWSN specifications, only used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is easy to install and have excellent potential for community-based maintenance.

The Kabul pump is a conventional lever action handpump. 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. Kabul body is slightly lighter than the Afridev pump.

Suitable conditions

It is suitable for boreholes (with the same casing size as in the Afridev pump) and Traditional hand-dug wells.
Distribution: Tens of thousands in Pakistan & Afghanistan.

Construction, operations and maintenance

Pump head, handle and pump stand are made of galvanised steel, pump rods of mild steel, rising main of PVC-U pipe (Ø63 mm), cylinder of PVC-U pipe with brass liner (Ø50 mm), plunger and foot valve are of plastic.

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

Acknowledgements

• Kabul water hand pumps. Kawsar Water Hand Pumps.