[[Image:Rope_pump_icon.png|right]][[Image:RopePumpMozambique.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] on a borehole, made in a local workshop in Mozambique ]][[Image:Rope_pump_action_diagram.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]], An illustration of the pumping action of a rope pump]][[Image:An illustration of the basic rope{{Language-pump design in the west circa 1433.jpgbox|thumb|right|250px|[[english_link= Rope pump| Rope Pump]] first illustrated in the west circa 1433 <ref>Weisbaden, Ludwig, ed. et al. Facsimile of De Ingeineis, Liber Primus Leonis, Liber Secundis Draconis, Addenda [online]. Germany: Satz Und Druck, 1984. Available at: http://digital.library.cornell.edu/k/kmoddl/pdf/037_001.pdf [April 2009]</ref>]][[Image:RopePumpvietnam.jpg|thumb|right|250pxfrench_link= Coming soon |[[Rope pumpspanish_link= Coming soon | Rope pump]] used for rice paddy irrigation in Vietnam]][[Image:RopePumpZambia.jpghindi_link= Coming soon |thumbmalayalam_link= Coming soon |righttamil_link= Coming soon |250pxswahili_link=coming soon |[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] used for irrigation in Zambia]][[Image:Rope_pump.PNGkorean_link= Coming soon |thumbchinese_link=绳泵|rightindonesian_link= Coming soon |250px|[[Rope pump | Rope pump ]], (Victory model) on a hand-dug of 20 meters deep well, made in a local workshop in northern Ghana ]][[Image:RopePumpBicycle.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]], bicycle model, produced and used in Nicaragua]][[Image:RopePumpMotor.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Rope pump| Motorized rope pump]], powered by a diesel motor, used for irrigation. Pumping from a 25m well.]][[Image:Rope pump cross section.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] Cross section diagram of a rope pump on a capped well]]japanese_link= Coming soon }}
[[Image:Rope_pump_icon.png|right|80px]][[Image:RopePumpMozambique.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] on a borehole, made in a local workshop in Mozambique ]] The '''modern Rope Pump''' pump is a highly '''efficient''', modern and '''low cost''' pump , it can be produced with local materials and one of the few designs that can be truly be operated and '''maintained totally at a village level'''. There are various modern developments of the ancient design but the The basic design of all pumps is '''has a wheel with a continuous loop of rope with pistons (or plastic washers) attached to it, that fit with a small clearance in the pump pipe. The low end of this pipe is at the bottom of the well. By turning the wheel the rope passes up through a plastic the PVC pump pipe with only a small clearance, thus allowing the pistons to push and pushes the water up and out of . At the top end of the pump pipe''', the diameter increases and the water comes out via a Tee piece. If produced and installed well, Rope pumps have proven highly successful prove to be sustainable and now there are hundreds of thousands 120,000 of these pumps in use world wide and used for anything from community adn communal and domestic water supply to , irrigation and cattle watering. For Modern models can pump from wells down to as deep as 35 mand compared to imported hand pumps, rope Rope pumps are often three to five times cheaper and . Good quality pumps can last for 20 years or more sustainable than standard piston pumpsas is proven in Nicaragua where the first improved models that were installed in 1990 are still working. Rope pumps can be powered by hand, bicycle, motor, horse, or wind power.
====Origins====
The almost intuitive design is known by many other names , including the paternoster (after the beaded prayer chain it resembles), Noria pump, liberation pump or ropechain-and-washer pump. It is a relatively recent development of but all have the ancient chain-and-washer same pumpprinciple. Evidence of the chain-and-washer this pump principle dates back as far as two thousand years, to feudal China <ref> Fraenkel, Peter, and Thake, Jeremy. ''Water Lifting Devices, A handbook for users and choosers, 3rd ed.'' UK, Rugby: Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd, 2006.</ref>. The earliest report of the design in the west is cited <ref> Olsen, J. P. ''Greek & Roman Mechanical Water-Lifting Devices: The History of a Technology''. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1984. </ref> as that illustrated by the Sienese early renaissance engineer, Tacolla, circa 1433 <ref> Tacolla, Mariano. ''De Ingeineis'', Liber Primus Leonis, Liber Secundis Draconis, Addenda. c. 1433, folio 80. </ref>, a copy of which is given in the figure to the right <ref>Weisbaden, Ludwig, ed. et al. ''Facsimile of De Ingeineis'', Liber Primus Leonis, Liber Secundis Draconis, Addenda [online]. Germany: Satz Und Druck, 1984. Available at: http://digital.library.cornell.edu/k/kmoddl/pdf/037_001.pdf [April 2009]</ref>. In the 1970 and 80s the basic design was developed by numerous individuals, the most prominent of which were Alberts <ref>Alberts, J. H. The rope-pump - an example of technology transfer. ''Waterlines'', January 2004, Vol. 22 (3), 22-25.</ref>, Haemhouts <ref>Sandiford, Peter, et al. The Nicaraguan Rope-pump. ''Waterlines'', January 1993, Vol. 11 (3).</ref> <ref> Lammerink, M.P. et al. ''EVALUATION REPORT NICARAGUAN EXPERIENCES WITH ROPE PUMP'' The Netherlands: IRC, 1995. Available at: http://www.ropepumps.org/English/IRC-1995-Evaluation.pdf</ref> and Lambert <ref>Lambert, R. A. ''How to build a rope-and-washer pump''. London: Intermediate Technology Design Group, 1990.</ref>. and Thorpe. They applied the simple design as a tool aimed at economic and social development. They took advantage of low cost and versatile modern plastics to produce the modern rope-pump design.
==Suitable conditions ==[http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/118633 Water Lifting Devices, A handbook for users and choosers], 3rd ed. UK, Rugby: Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd, 2006.</ref>. The earliest report of the design in the west is cited <ref> Olsen, J. P. [https://utorontopress.com/us/greek-and-roman-mechanical-water-lifting-devices-1 Greek & Roman Mechanical Water-Lifting Devices: The History of a Technology]. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1984. </ref> as that illustrated by the Sienese early renaissance engineer, Tacolla, circa 1433 <ref> Tacolla, Mariano. ''De Ingeineis'', Liber Primus Leonis, Liber Secundis Draconis, Addenda. c. 1433, folio 80. </ref>, a copy of which is given in the figure to the right <ref>Weisbaden, Ludwig, ed. et al. [http://digital.library.cornell.edu/k/kmoddl/pdf/037_001.pdf Facsimile of De Ingeineis], Liber Primus Leonis, Liber Secundis Draconis, Addenda [online]. Germany: Satz Und Druck, 1984. [April 2009]</ref>. In the 1970 and 80s the basic design was adapted by numerous individuals, the most prominent of which were R. van Tijen of Demotech, J. Haemhouts <ref>Sandiford, Peter, et al. [http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/116194 The Nicaraguan Rope-pump]. ''Waterlines'', January 1993, Vol. 11 (3).</ref> <ref> Lammerink, M.P. et al. [http://www.ircwash.org/resources/evaluation-report-nicaraguan-experiences-rope -pump can be used -final-report EVALUATION REPORT NICARAGUAN EXPERIENCES WITH ROPE PUMP] The Netherlands: IRC, 1995. </ref> and R. Lambert <ref>Lambert, R. A. [http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/110481 How to draw water from wells or boreholesmake a rope-and-washer pump]. Applications include communal wellsLondon: Intermediate Technology Design Group, households1990.</ref>. They applied the simple design as a tool aimed at economic and social development. They took advantage of low cost and versatile modern plastics to produce the modern rope-pump design. They applied this pump as a homemade, irrigationlow lift pump. However the early models did not really take off and a successful scaling up of the Rope pump only started in 1988 in Nicaragua where the pump was technically improved by Van Hemert of the organization SNV and Alberts of Bombas de mecate. They made it into a compact metal model fit for commercial sales, produced and cattle wateringsold by local private companies. V. Hemert and Alberts <ref>Alberts, J. H. [http://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/Alberts-2004-Rope.pdf The rope-pump - an example of technology transfer]. ''Waterlines'', January 2004, Vol. 22 (3), 22-25.</ref> Holtslag.
One person can draw water up to 35 m, two persons can pump to 60m (using a second crank). A rope pump can be driven by hand, windmill, motor, bicycle, and animals. A rope pump can pump 40 litres / min from 10 meters depth.
Some 70,000 [[Image:An illustration of the basic rope pumps are -pump design in use the west circa 1433.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope Pump]] first illustrated in Nicaraguathe west circa 1433 <ref>Weisbaden, 20Ludwig,000 in Mexicoed. et al. [http://digital.library.cornell.edu/k/kmoddl/pdf/037_001.pdf Facsimile of De Ingeineis], HondurasLiber Primus Leonis, GuatemalaLiber Secundis Draconis, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, and othersAddenda [online]. In totalGermany: Satz Und Druck, the Rope pump is used in over 30 countries1984.[April 2009]</ref>]]
The ===Suitable conditions===[[Image:horse rope pump.jpg|thumb|right|200px|'''Horse Rope pump''', powered by horses or donkeys. Pumps from wells to 65 m deep. Pump capacity 5 times more than a hand powered model. Used in Nicaragua. Photo: Henk Holtslag]]A Rope pump can be used to draw water from large diameter hand dug wells of 3 meters to boreholes as small as 6 cm. One person can draw water up from 35 m deep, two persons can pump from 60 m deep (using a second crank) and if powered by single familiesan engine it can pump from 100 meters or more. A Rope pump can be driven by hand, bicycle, animals, wind or up engines. If well made, a hand Rope pump delivers 35 litres / min from 10 meters depth and halve of that if the well is 20 metres deep. Rope Pumps can be [http://www.mawama.org/rope-pump/rope-pump-efficiency very efficient] but typically have an efficiencies of 65%, [http://www.mawama.org/rope-pump/rope-pump-efficiency model equations of the rope pump] confirm the best rope speed to around 1.2m/s and the piston spacing to 20 families (100 people)be 1m. Hand pump models are most commonly used at depths less than 35m.
{{procontable | pro=- Significantly cheaper (up to 5 times) than piston Some 70,000 Rope pumpsare now in use in Nicaragua, 10,000 in countries like Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Bolivia. <br>- If made well30, one pump can supply up to 250 people as experiences 000 in NicaraguaAfrican countries like Ethiopia, Ghana , Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and other countries indicate6000 in Cambodia and India. HoweverIn total, suggested use the Rope pump is for maximum of 20 families (100 people) <br>- Easy to maintain. <br>- Easy to train on maintenance. <br>- Can be made locally by workshop. <br>- Ideal to be used by one or two families in a shallow well on their own yard. <br>- Can be used for irrigation and income generation. <br>- Can be driven by hand, windmill, motor, bicycle, animalsover 25 countries. <br>
| con= - The rope Rope pump is easy to copymost suitable for single families, but bad copying (materials, construction) leads to early break down.- Lack of maintenance and installation errors, can lead to early wearing out or breakage of pump parts<br>- A “blocking system” is needed on the handle to avoid return of the handle, if not the "spinning back" of the handle can be dangerous, especially also often used for children.<br>- Compared communities up to piston pumps the rope pumps splashes more.<br>- Not suitable as a community pump for more than 20 families(150 people).<br>}}
{| border="1" cellpadding=Technical specification"5" cellspacing="0" align="center"With different depths|-! width="50%" style="background:#efefef;" | Advantages! style="background:#f0f8ff;" | Disadvantages|-| valign="top" | - Simple, different sizes of pump pipes are neededno “black box” <br> - Easy to maintain <br>- Easy to train on production, maintenance- Can be made locally by workshops <br> - Significantly (5 to 8 times) cheaper than imported piston pumps for the same depth <br> - Rotating movement, otherwise no dynamic force like in piston pumps<br> - Pump parts in the pumping becomes wells plastic and concrete (no corrosion) <br> - Rotating shaft, easy to power by bicycle, animals, windmills, electric motors or combustion engines <br> - Ideal to heavy. See manuals on websites be used by one or two families in their own yard <br>of [http://www.practicafoundation.nl/library/manuals/ Practica Foundation] and [http://www.connectinternational.nl/english/smartmodules/smart-tec/pumps/ropepumpproduction Connect International].Fit for irrigation, therefore used as income generation <br>- If made well, one pump can supply up to 250 people as is the experience in Nicaragua, Tanzania, Malawi and other countries. However, suggested use is for maximum of 20 families (150 people)
Many different types | valign="top" | - It is simple which is good but also leads to bad copying resulting in early break down and bad image <br>- Requires frequent maintenance like oiling the bushings, if not leads to early wearing out and breakage of rope pump existhandle <br>- A “blocking system” is needed on the handle to avoid return of the handle which can be dangerous, powered by handespecially for children <br>- It cannot pump higher than the pump outlet <br>- Compared to piston pumps the Rope pump is semi-open at the top which in theory, bicycle, wind, horse, etccan cause contamination of the well. (if well made this is hardly a problem in practice) <br> - The Rope pump splashes more than piston pumps. <br>- Not suitable for communities larger than 20 families.|}
Similar to piston pumps===Construction, operations and maintenance===[[Image:Rope_pump_action_diagram.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]], An illustration of the pumping action of a cement slab rope pump. However, this drawing needs adaptation. The pipe diameter at and a above the Tee piece should be larger than the pump pipe. This is essential for good soak away are needed to avoid splash functioning of the pump. Now most of the water becoming will come out at the top!]][[Image:Rope_pump.PNG|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump | Rope pump]], (Victory model) on a hand-dug of 20 meters deep well, made in a cause for pollutionlocal workshop in northern Ghana. Photo: Netherlands Water Partnership.]]
==== Design ====* Pumping depth (Lift): 0 to 30m * Cylinder With deeper wells, smaller diameter: 28 mm to 42 mmpump pipes are needed, depending otherwise the pumping becomes too heavy. See manuals on depth* Pistonwebsites of [http: Plastic pistons spaced at 1 m* Yield//practica.org/publications/ Practica Foundation], [http: (75 watt input, at 5 m head) ~ 4//www.connectinternational.5 m³nl/hour * Populationenglish/field area servedsmartmodules/smart-tec/pumps/ropepumpproduction Connect International], and [http: 0//www.ropepumps.25 hectare * Type of well: dug well or boreholeorg ropepumps.org].<br>
The Many different types of rope pump can be produced with locally available standard materials and local skillsexist, such as an artisan workshoppowered by hand, bicycle, wind, horse, [http://www.mawama.org/rope-pump/powered-rope-pump/solar-pv-powered-rope-pump solar] etc.
The frame is welded from mild steel. The handle axle is a mild steel pipe (some design use bearings, either ball bearings or wooden bearingsSimilar to piston pumps, other employ a steel bushing. The pulley wheel is assembled by fitting the cut-off sides of a tyre on a rim, which generates cement slab and a nice 'v' shape which provides good traction on the rope. The ropes soak away are made of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or Polyamide fibres varying from Ø 4 needed to Ø 8 mm. Natural fibres are not suitable, as they will lengthen when wet, avoid splash water and degrade too fast. The pistons are injection moulded plastic with no seal. The rising main are PVC pipes ranging from 20-50mm diameter (depending on lift). The guide box can be made recontamination of concrete with a ceramic insert (some designs use cast the water in glass bottles), or made of wood with a pvc liningthe well.
====Design====* Pumping depth (Lift): 0 to 35 m * Cylinder diameter: (pump pipe) 32 mm for 1 to 10 metres deep, 25 mm for 10 to 20 metres deep and 19 mm for 20 to 35 metres deep* Pistons: Rubber or HD PE (plastic) pistons spaced at 1 m* Yield: (50 watt input) at a 10 m head the yield is 2 m³/hour. [http://www.mawama.org/rope-pump/rope-pump-efficiency Model equations can be found here] * Population/field area served: Max 150 people or irrigation of 0.1 hectare * Type of well: dug well of 3 metres to borehole of 6 to 20 cm diameter The installation of the Rope pump is easy can be made in any country since the design can be adapted to the materials that are locally available. After due training it can be produced, by small or medium metal companies or blacksmiths that have a welding machine and standard hand tools. Although simple does not need any lifting equipment mean easy. It is essential to build the pump with 10 basic design rules. (See [http://www.ropepumps.org ropepumps.org] FAQs). In general, training is needed for good quality in production and, as important, good installation. The pump frame is made of galvanized pipes or special toolsmild steel. The pumps handle is a galvanized steel pipe with metal bushings (there are generally installed in dug wells but also versions that fit into boreholes designs with ball bearings, or wooden bushings). The pulley wheel is made of the sides of a used car tire and mounted with clamps and spokes on the handle. The wheel should have a sharp 'v' shape to get a good traction on the rope. The ropes are made of Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or Polyamide fibers varying from Ø 4 to Ø 8 mm. Natural fibers are not suitable, as they will stretch when wet, and degrade too fast. The pistons are made of the side of the siude of a used car tire or injection molded HD polyethylene. The rising main are availablePVC pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm and diameters of 20 to 50 mm (depending on depth of the water level). The guide box is made of concrete (with a ceramic piece or small glass bottle as turning point), galvanized pipe or wood with a PVC turning point.
====Maintenance====
One of the main strengths of the rope Rope pump is that '''all''' maintenance is and repairs are relatively simple and can '''easily and genuinely be done at village level'''by local technicians. All spare parts can, like the whole pump, be manufactured in any small town with only Because of the most basic welding machinelocal production, other standard hand tools spares are available and a basic supply of standard items like PVC pipe, GS pipe and round barknowledge to do repairs. The most frequent repairs are simple and consist mainly of repairing replacing the rope or handle. Although easy and simple to maintain it is important the user is instructed in why pistons and how to maintain and repair their pump. Evaluations show that rope pumps on communal wells can be maintained by weekly oiling of the users under certain conditionsbushings. On pumps shared amongst large groups one The installation and repairs of the main conditions is a very high level of community coherence and responsibility. If the rope pump technology is introduced properlypart does not require special tools, like often is the case with the Zimbabwe Elephant Rope and pump, up to 90% of rope pumps remain operational, even after many years. ====Motorized rope pumps====Most common diesel and petrol pumps pipes are suction pumps that can pump from shallow wells down to 7 m. deep. Pumping from deeper wells requires generator pump sets or long-shaft diesel pumps costing US$ 800 or more. Where there is electricity, submersible pumps can be used but many small farmers do not have electricityvery light so no need for any lifting equipment.
Motorised rope pumps can pump from deep wellsAlthough easy and simple, up it is important that users are instructed in why and how to 60m.<ref>[http://www.practicafoundationmaintain and repair their pump.nl/products/Evaluations show that pumps/motorized-rope-pump/ Information on Motorized rope (including Rope pumps ) on the website communal wells have a tendency to fail for reasons like a lack of Practica Foundation]</ref> This model combines a rope pump ownership and problems with an electric motor or petrol enginegenerating funds for repairs and replacements. See example of Ghana, below. Pump parts If Rope pumps are produced and installed properly (and if the users have ownership), 90% of Rope pumps remain operational, even after many years as is proven by pumps in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe Tanzania, Malawi and other elements countries. Compared to piston pumps the repairs of Rope pumps is simpler and cheaper, plus because of the structure can be produced in local workshopsproduction, the engines spares are often importedavailable.
If combined with a locally ====Other Rope pump models====Besides hand powered Rope pumps there are models powered by Pedals, Horse, Wind, Electric motor or petrol engines. Common available small petrol engine the cost of a motorised pumps are suction pumps for shallow wells down to 7 m. deep-well . Deeper wells require generator pump can be US$ 450. This is far cheaper then sets or long-shaft diesel pumps costing US$ 1000 or submersible pumps and this cost can even be less when Chinese engines are usedmore.
Similar Where there is electricity, submersible pumps can be used but these are relatively expensive and many small farmers do not have electricity. Motorized Rope pumps can pump from wells down to hand 60m <ref>[http://www.practica.org/products/pumps/motorized-rope-pump/ Information on Motorized rope pumps, ] from the Practica Foundation</ref> Similar to the Hand pump part model, it can be maintained and repaired by produced in local workshops using engines that are common in the userscountry. The motorised rope cost of a Motor Rope pump is being tested 600 US$. This is far cheaper than long-shaft diesel pumps or submersible pumps with the advantage that in Columbia case of emergency, the pump can be powered by hand. Similar to the hand powered model, maintenance and repairs are relatively easy. There are motorized Rope pumps in Niger, Ethiopia and Nicaragua.
===Costs===* The Hand Rope Pump costs pumps cost between US$ 30-150 depending on model, location of production, and cost of materials and labour.
* Cost of introduction: between US$ 10,000-30,000 per project, including 20 pumps, engineering and hands-on training.
* Rural water programme: US$ 150,000-200,000 per project, including 1,000 pumps, start up of production facility and hands-on training.
===Field experiences===[[Image:RopePumpBicycle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Pedal Rope pump]], bicycle model, produced and used in Nicaragua]][[Image:RopePumpMotor.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Motor Rope pump]], powered by a diesel motor, used for irrigation. Pumping from a 25m well. Photo: Netherlands Water Partnership.]][[Image:RopePumpZambia.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Hand Rope pump]] used for irrigation in Zambia]][[Image:Rope pump cross section.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] Cross section diagram of a Rope pump with a complete wheel cover, 95% of the Rope pumps have a small wheel cover to reduce cost and make maintenance easier. Also water quality of semi-covered Rope pumps is the same as completely closed Rope pumps.]] Because of its low cost, the pump is also popular for domestic use[[Self Supply|Self Supply]]. A survey among 5,025 rural families in Nicaragua indicates that a rope an Rope pump increases family income, even if used for domestic purposes only. Families with a pump on their well earn an average US$ 220 more per year more than families without who use a rope and a pumpbucket on their well. In Nicaragua the pumps are now being produced commercially by 20 some 10 workshops.
Different models of Rope pumps were introduced in Africa. This introduction has not always been successful: in one projects over as described above. In Ghana, 80% of the pumps did NOT not work after one year! and in Ethiopia, Uganda and Mozambique there were similar problems with pumps being installed for large communities. However, with the "right" models and , the "right" user trainingand willingness of users to pay for repairs, up to 90% remain in operation also in Africa, as the Victory pump model in Ghana and , the Elephant model in Zimbabwe have provedand the SHIPO Model in Tanzania and Malawi prove. In 2013, Rope pumps were used in over 30 countries. Below are the experiences in several countries.
In 2008, ====Nicaragua====Some 70.000 rope pumps have been installed since 1988. The shift from imported piston pumps of $600 to locally produced rope pumps are used of $100 has doubled rural water supply in over 30 ten years, much faster than countriesthat applied imported hand Piston pumps. Below Users do the experiences maintenance and over 95% of the Rope pumps remain in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe and Ghana are listedoperation. The Rope pump has been adopted as the standard water pump by the government.
<b>Nicaragua</b>Some 70.000 rope 80% of the Rope pumps have been installed since 1990in Nicaragua are used for one or a few families for [[Self Supply|self supply]]. The shift from imported piston pumps economic effect of 600$ to locally produced rope family pumps is a total generated income of 70over 100 million US$ has doubled rural water supply in ten the last 12 years, much faster than countries that apply piston pumps. Users do the maintenance and over 95% Families with a pump earn an average of the pumps remain in operation220 US$ more than families without a pump on their well (Investigation by CESADE/ICCO at 5015 families). The rope extra income is explained by the fact that as soon as families have a pump has been adopted as near the standard house, women save time, more water is used (so more hygiene) and water pump by the governmentis used for animals, garden irrigation and reducing health related costs and generating extra income.
<b>====Zimbabwe</b>====A rope Rope pump model called the Elephant Pump was introduced by the organisation Pump Aid in 1990. The main difference with the traditional rope other Rope pump models is the solid round concrete structure around the wheelpump, to protect the well and to avoid splashingand recontamination. Now some 3,000 pumps serve 950,000 people and some 95% of the pumps are working. Many more pumps are planned to be installed in these countries before 2015 and if this can be realized, this these pumps together will reach 3 1 million more people. .
<b>====Ghana</b> ====The first experiences with rope pumps in Ghana were discouraging. In a World Bank funded project, 80% did not function after one year because of lack of user involvement and production errors. In the year 2000 some 200 pumps were installed. After 1 year 80% of these pumps were defect. Major reasons were errors in construction and installation and lack of funds for follow up so there was no ownership created and hence a lack of maintenance. These problems caused a bad image of this pump type in Ghana and the government did not approve of this pump type. In other parts of Ghana other Rope pump models were installed Like the Victoria model produced in Bolgatanga and Pumping is life model on boreholes. Better quality and good community involvement resulted in much better results and most of the new model Rope pumps are working. The Rope pumps in northern Ghana were among others supported by Water Aid. The good results of the new pumps slowly improve the image of the Rope pump in Ghana again. After improvements some 1.600 pumps were installed.
<b>Malawi, Blantyre trials</b>====Ethiopia==== Several rope Rope pumps were introduced in order to provide a better alternative for here around 2006 by the Afridev Community handpumpPractica foundation and supported by organizations like IDE, which is the standard handpump JICA and Water Aid. During several years local metal workshops have been trained in Malawiproduction and model. The Afridev is not However the pump became so popular due that untrained workshops also started to many breakdowns produce and not available spare parts, especially in sell the more remote areaspumps. HoweverBy 2012, there were an estimated 10, the rope 000 Rope pumps also broke down many times, sometimes several times per month, due to installed in but often the high number of users pump and installation was therefor not considered by the users as of a poor quality without a good alternative for a community pump, although repairs were possible. Another disadvantage mentionned was that children found it difficult seal resulting water to pump and sometimes got hurt when the handle security break system was not functioning (leak back in that case the handle turns back with a high speed due to the weight well and causing recontamination of the water in the riser pipe). The communities now prefer a more reliable handpump than the Afridev, with less need for spares.
<b>Mozambique</b>As in Malawi, In 2013 the rope pump was seen as government of Ethiopia decide to make a viable alternative long term program to the Afridev which is generally the official pump of choice. WaterAid had first introduced a bucket improve and windlass system in the Niassa provice as an alternative due to standardize the high failure rate of Afridev Rope pumps, but the Mozambican government refused to accept these as official community water supplies. WaterAid, in partnership and is doing this with funds from the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), UNICEF, CARE Japanese aid organization JICA and the Government of Mozambique, therefore began a lengthy process of piloting a robust community rope pump, first relying on technical support from Bombas de Mecate in Nicaragua, but later adapting the design from Madagascar. The new model meets a number of key well protection and water quality criteria set down by the development team. Three manufacturers are now in operation in three provinces and through a process of skill sharing improvements have been made to the design resulting in a robust high quality model. A manufacturing standard has also been produced with the help of SKAT. The final stages of this process are currently underway which include the final approval of the pump as well as the licensing of the manufacturers by the Governments standards laboratoryDutch organization Meta.
There are now more than 300 rope pumps installed across three provinces ====Tanzania==== Here the local organization [http://www.SHIPO-TZ.org SHIPO] in Njombe (Niassa, Cabo Delgado South Tanzania) introduced the Rope pump in 2006. With support of the Dutch organization Connect International and Zambezia)funds from the Dutch government and in Niassa particularly WaterAid funded projects continues to offer communities Aqua for All, a so-called SMART Centre started. This Centre demonstrates a choice range of either low cost water technologies like manual drilling hand pumps, water tanks, household filters etc. and trains organizations and the local private sector in production, maintenance, business skills etc. The centre organizes trainings for organizations like Winrock, Msabi and others. The result after 6 years is some 20 local companies trained, over 4000 SHIPO model Rope Pump pumps installed, 800 manual drilled boreholes and cost reduction for rural water points of the Afridev40 to 15US$/person. In addition the installed last 2 years, out of the 4000 Rope pumps are monitored twice per year in order , some 30% now is sold to better understand private families who pay for the pumps sustainabilitypump with cash or via small loans.
====Malawi, Blantyre trials====
Several rope pumps were introduced in order to provide a better alternative for the Afridev Community handpump, which is the standard handpump in Malawi. The Afridev is not popular due to many breakdowns and not available spare parts, especially in the more remote areas. However, the rope pumps also broke down many times, sometimes several times per month, due to the high number of users and was therefor not considered by the users as a good alternative for a community pump, although repairs were possible. Another disadvantage mentioned was that children found it difficult to pump and sometimes got hurt when the handle security break system was not functioning (in that case the handle turns back with a high speed due to the weight of the water in the riser pipe). The communities now prefer a more reliable handpump than the Afridev, with less need for spares.
====Mozambique====
As in Malawi, the Rope pump was seen as a viable alternative to the Afridev which is generally the official pump of choice. WaterAid had first introduced a bucket and windlass system in the Niassa province as an alternative due to the high failure rate of Afridev pumps, but the Mozambican government refused to accept these as official community water supplies. WaterAid, in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), UNICEF, CARE and the Government of Mozambique, therefore began a lengthy process of piloting a robust community rope pump, first relying on support from Bombas de Mecate in Nicaragua, but later adapting the design from Madagascar which is a pump model with a closed wheel cover. The new model meets a number of key well protection and water quality criteria set down by the development team. Three manufacturers were in operation in three provinces and through a process of skill sharing improvements have been made to the design resulting in a robust high quality model. A manufacturing standard has also been produced with the help of SKAT. After final stages of this process there was a final approval of the pump in 2011 as well as the licensing of the manufacturers by the Governments standards laboratory.
There are now more than 300 Rope pumps installed across three provinces (Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Zambezia) and in Niassa particularly WaterAid funded projects continues to offer communities a choice of either the Rope pump of the Afridev. The pumps were monitored twice per year in order to better understand the pumps sustainability. At this moment (July 2013) The trained manufacturers are not producing anymore and most of these pumps are defect. Reasons are as mentioned before, lack of ownership and payment for repairs and technical breakdowns because the number of people using the pumps was too large. Also the complete cover of the pump complicated the repairs.
Another organization ADPP in Itoculo (near Nampula ) trained workshops in the production of the so called SHIPO model of which there now are 4000 in Tanzania. Some 350 of these pumps are installed on hand dug or manual drilled tube wells and some 70% are working. At this moment (July 2013) this pump model is being produced in Monapo.
It was not considered by the users as a good community pump, although repairs were possible. Another disadvantage mentioned was that children found it difficult to pump (caused by too large of a pump pipe diameter) and sometimes got hurt when the handle security break system was not functioning. Due to lack of quality control the pumps did not have an anti-return system. This results in the handle turning back with a high speed due to the weight of the water in the riser pipe. In 2008, over 2000 simple Pole model Rope pumps for irrigation were installed near Blantyre made by the organization DAPP.
In 2012, a Water training centre (SMART Centre) at the Mzuzu University introduced the SHIPO model Rope pump. This centre, supported by Connect International, is now (in 2013) training local companies in manual well drilling and Rope pumps. A focus is on quality control via certification. After initial problems, now good quality pumps are produced and some 100 installed. [https://www.facebook.com/SMART.Centre.Mzuzu/ Mzuzu Smart Centre].
Apart from this initiative, PumpAid has also been active in the Chimoio province installing Elephant Pumps which are also rope pumps.
Please see the external links below for further information.
<b>====Burkina Faso</b>====WaterAid in Burkina Faso is also currently developing a rope Rope pump model suitable to local conditions. This project has resulted in a renewed understanding across WaterAid of the need to ensure that rope Rope pumps destined for community water supplies require high quality manufacturing and installation techniques in order to improve their sustainability. WaterAid now intends to renew its efforts across the organisation organization to improving the quality of rope pumps in countries where this is supported. A training course for manufacturers from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Zambia and Malawi was held in early 2010 as part of this process. A recent interesting development in Burkina Faso has been the redesign of the bottom guide box to include a non-return valve (foot valve) thereby ensuring that water is immediately available from the first turn of the pump handle. This is currently being piloted on a few pumps. Another organization, Winrock, started trainings in other local workshops and installed Rope pumps of the SHIPO model in communities up to 150 people in 2012 and 2013. Some 100 are installed at the end of 2013 and 98% are functioning.
A recent interesting development in Burkina Faso has been the re====Akvo RSR projects===={|style="border: 2px solid #e0e0e0; width: 20%; text-design of the align: justify; background-color: #e9f5fd;" cellpadding="2"<!--rsr logo here-->|- style="vertical-align: top"|[[Image:akvorsr logo_lite.png|center|60px|link=http://akvo.org/products/rsr/]]<!--project blocks here-->|- style="vertical-align: bottom guide box to include a non-return valve (foot valve) thereby ensuring that "|[[Image:project 1349.jpg |thumb|center|140px|<font size="2"><center>[http://rsr.akvo.org/project/1349/ RSR Project 1349]<br>Safe water is immediately available from the first turn of the pump handle<br>for Wajir</center></font>|link=http://rsr. This is currently being piloted on a few pumpsakvo.org/project/1349/]] |}
==Reference manuals, videos, and links==<br>
===Manuals, videos and links===
====Manuals====
* Jan Nederstigt, Arjen van der Wal. [http://www.practica.org/wp-content/uploads/services/publications/Rope%20pump%20manuels/ropepump%20manual%20EN%20full.pdf Rope Pump: Low Cost Pump Series. TECHNICAL TRAINING HANDBOOK ON ROPE PUMP PRODUCTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE]. Practica Foundation. August 2011 (3rd edition). French version: [http://www.practica.org/wp-content/uploads/services/publications/Rope%20pump%20manuels/ropepump%20manual%20FR%20full.pdf A POMPE A CORDE: Séries de la pompe à moindre coût.] * [http://www.practicafoundationpractica.nlorg/wp-content/uploads/PDF/practica-180306-rope-pump-manual-ethiopia-march-2006-complete1.pdf Rope Pump production manual], produced by [http://www.practicafoundationpractica.nl/ org PRACTICA] and [http://www.etc-international.org/index.php?id=41ETC ETC Foundation]. It has 86 pages and contains detailed instructions. * Construction manual [http://www.connectinternational.nl/english/smartmodules/smart-tec/pumps/ropepumpproduction SHIPO Model, Connect International]. * ERPF, K. (2006) [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/338 Installation and Maintenance Manual for Rope Pumps], Skat, Rural Water Supply Network, St Gallen, Switzerland. *ERPF, K. (2006) Manufacturing Guidelines for the Production of Rope Pumps in Mozambique. Skat, Rural Water Supply Network, St Gallen, Switzerland [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/340 English], [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/341 Portuguese]. * RANDRIANASOLO, A. and ERPF, K. (2004) [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/337 Madagascar Rope Pump Specification. First Edition 0 - 2004], Skat, Rural Water Supply Network, St Gallen, Switzerland. * RWSN (2006) [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/339 Maintenance Card for Rope Pump], Skat, Rural Water Supply Network, St Gallen, Switzerland.
====Videos====
* [http{|style="border://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1px #176fb7; background-o9jzEcu57A Rope pumps around the world (Connect International, Netherlands, 2008)]* [httpcolor://www.youtube.com/watch?v#efefef" align="none" cellpadding=06JoZlo77gk Small scale irrigation with a rope pump, Zambia (Connect International, Netherlands, 2008)]"5"* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v|<font size=pvHtqsUIoDs Hand drilled borehole and rope pump in Tanzania (Connect International, Netherlands, 2008)]* "3"> Visit our page of more than 15 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1qIdvH1bvM Windmill powered rope pump in Nicaragua (S.J. Batchelor, 1999)]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wWLuX8pmNA Rope Pump animation (Resource Development International Cambodia, RDI)]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTuqHEVo2TA&feature=channel_page Motorized rope pump on platform in Ethiopia, used to fill an overhead tankvideos]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YE42YdLHVI&feature=channel_page Motorized rope pump in Burkina Faso, used for smalls scale irrigation.]* [http:<//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJVNBoGF968 Rope pump documentary part 1]font>* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGVvdcl4z8I Rope pump documentary part 2]|}
====External links====
[[Image:RopePumpvietnam.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Rope pump| Rope pump]] used for rice paddy irrigation in Vietnam]][[Image:wind rope pump.jpg|thumb|right|200px|'''Wind Rope pump''' used in Nicaragua, produced by AMEC]] * [http://www.ropepumps.org/ www.ropepumps.org website](English and Spanish)* [http://www.ircropepump.nlcom/page/31886 Rope pumps: out-perform conventional handpumps on most counts in Ghana testropepump.com]. Article on IRC.(Spanish)* [http://www.ircircwash.nlorg/sites/default/pagefiles/15380 Rope Sutton-2009-Transferring.pdf Transferring the rope pumpto Africa: local production A long and installation capacity being developed in Senegalwinding road?]. Article on IRC.*[http://www.rwsn.ch/prarticle.2005rural-10water-25supply.9856177177net/prarticle.2005en/sustainable-10groundwater-26.2582788867management/prarticle.2008-12-04.2105225472 pumps Overview of community handpumps hand pumps at the RWSN website]* [http://www.rwsnrural-water-supply.chnet/en/documentationresources/skatdocumentation.2005-11-15.3234222147details/file 289 Low-cost pump alternatives for rural communities in Honduras (rope- and EMAS pumps), SKAT website]
* [http://www.pumpaid.org/The-Elephant-Pump.shtml Pump Aid works in Malawi and Zimbambwe with the Elephant pump, a kind of rope pump.]
* [http://www.ropepump.com www.ropepump.com] * [http://www.ideas-at-work.org/IdeasRopePump.html Ideas at Work, Cambodia]
* [http://www.wateraid.org/international/what_we_do/where_we_work/mozambique/2595.asp Rope Pump - WaterAid in Mozambique]
* [http://www.appropedia.org/Rope_pump Rope pump article at Appropedia]
* [[Solution_of_the_week_7|Akvo solution of the week 7]]
* [[Solution_of_the_week_9|Akvo solution of the week 9]]
* [http://www.rwsnrural-water-supply.chnet/documentationen/prcollector.2009-04-05.2482958002resources/skatdocumentation.2011-07-01.0268979788details/file 307 'Low Cost HandpumpsHand pumps' RWSN Field Note 2011-3]* [http://www.ropepump.com/ Rope Pumps (Nicaragua)]* [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/337 Rope Pumps (Madagascar)]* RWSN: The Rope Pump Concept [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/294 English], [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/296 French], [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/336 Portuguese]
==Acknowledgements=References===
<references/>
===Acknowledgements===
* [http://www.henkholtslag.nl henkholtslag.nl], [http://www.300in6.org 300in6.org], [http://www.connectinternational.nl connectinternational.nl]