[[Image:small motor icon.png|right|100px80px]][[Image:Fuel_efficient_motor_pump.PNG|thumb|right|250px200px|Transporting the improved pump that weighs 50% less than the conventional model. Photo: Netherlands Water Partnership.]]__NOTOC__<small-title />
Small and efficient motor pumps refer to diesel or kerosine fueled motor pumps that have a typical size between 0.5 and 2.5 hp, and have been optimized to use as little fuel as possible.
A second issue, which is often overlooked, is the design of the filter screen at the input of the pump. In many cases, a filter screen is used that is too small, which leads to excessive resistance for the water to be pumped through it. This can easily lead to a doubling of fuel consumption for the same amount of water pumped.
===Suitable conditions===
A 4 HP diesel pump set can pump 20-30 l/s. A 1.5 HP pump set can pump 2-4 l/s.
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! width="50%" style="background:#efefef;" | Advantages
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| valign="top" | - Low cost<br>
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===Construction, operations and maintenance===
[[Image: motor pump.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Pump at Koyratao, next to the Niger River. Photo: [http://www.hipponet.nl/ Hipponet.nl]]]
Practica monitors the quality of the product, and can facilitate procurement of these pumps and spare parts from China, the establishment of a dealer network, training of mechanics and general promotion. Practica also has developed an operation and maintenance manual. The low-cost pumpset is used in Madagascar (some 50 units), Burkina Faso (100 units), Nicaragua (70 units), and Chad (50 units).
===Costs===
A 4 HP diesel pump can usually be obtained for US$ 400, off-factory. 1.5 hp petrol pumps are available for US$170
===Field experiences===[[Image:farmer and pump.jpg|thumb|right|250px200px|A farmer uses a small pump to irrigate his fields in Keta, Ghana. Photo: [http://e360.yale.edu/slideshow/turning_to_grass_roots_solutions_on_water/123/1/ Joe Ronzio/IWMI]]]
In India alone, there are more than 6 million diesel pumps. Research on the efficiency of these pumps, which was performed as part of the India-Terai development project, showed that big improvements in efficiency were possible. Technical adaptation resulted in a smaller engine that consumes 50% less fuel and is easier to transport. Improved motor pumps of 2.5 HP could yield as much water as traditional 5 HP pumps. Local industry in India has started to produce these new pumps.
This low cost pumpset is used in Madagascar (50 units), Burkina Faso (100 units), Nicaragua (70 units), Chad (50 units)
===Manuals, videos, and links===
* [http://www.practicafoundation.nl/products/under-development/micro-diesel-engine/ Micro diesel engine under development by PRACTICA Foundation].
* [http://bookstore.teriin.org/book_inside.php?material_id=186 Technology innovation and promotion in practice: pumps, channels and wells], TERI publication.
* [http://www.hipponet.nl www.hipponet.nl]
===Acknowledgements===* [http://www.googlearcworld.comorg/downloads/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nwp.nlsmart%2F_docs20water%2Fpublicaties%2FSmart_Water_Solutions_ENG_200620solutions.pdf&ei=dKYEUPeYA4fg2QW8qdjMBQ&usg=AFQjCNE9tTXI9rJyLrJCYiS2z9bWSPnK5Q&sig2=pJx8UnMMK0p0zEzn5n5xEQ SmartWater Solutions Examples of innovative, low-cost technologies for wells, pumps, storage, irrigation and water treatment.] Netherlands Water Partnership, 2006.