[[Image:lever action icon.png|right|100px80px]][[Image:U3M pump.jpg|thumb|right|250px200px|U3M pump. Photo: [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/implementation/handpump-overview/u3m-pump RWSN.]]]__NOTOC__<small-title />
The U3M Pump is a conventional lever action handpump developed in Uganda. The "M" stands for modified, so the U3 pump has been modified in the U3M version. It is designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of up to 300 persons. The maximum recommended lift is 45 m.
The U2 and U3 handpumps use Galvanised Iron (GI) riser pipes and rods and have experienced widespread corrosion problems due to aggressive groundwater. The U3M was later modified to use uPVC pipes and SS rods. Recent problems with breaking plastic foot-valves for the U3M led to the introduction of some brass foot-valves. Due to the different versions of the U-series pumps there is now some degree of non-uniformity and uncertainties over spare part supply. However, the widespread familiarity with these models and in-country availability of spares are positive developments.
===Suitable conditions===[[Image:U3M diagram.jpg|thumb|right|250px200px|A U3M pump diagram. Image: [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/343 Uganda U3 Modified Deepwell Handpump Specification.]]]
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===Manuals, videos, and links===
* ERPF, K. (2001). [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/343 Uganda U3 Modified Deepwell Handpump Specification]. Skat, Rural Water Supply Network, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
===Acknowledgements===
* [http://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/implementation/handpump-overview/u3m-pump Implementation • Handpump Technology U3M Pump]. RWSN.
* P.A. Harvey. [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDcQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwedcwedc.lboro.ac.uk%2Fdocs%2Fresearch%2FWEJW2%2FReport_/docs/research/WEJW2/Report_-_Uganda.pdf&ei=UACDUKOSBIm88ATC1YGYCg&usg=AFQjCNGUHHQPhKUasNYPqwQI7kkO8WQAtQ&sig2=eUCTY33pdS5MRkXzdKOylQ&cad=rjt Sustainable pdfSustainable Handpump Projects in Africa Report on Fieldwork in Uganda.] February 10 – 14, 2003. Water, Engineering and Development Centre Loughborough University (WEDC), 2002.
