WASH Technologies - Hand Pumps

Hand pumps use human power to bring groundwater to the surface. The action of the pump handle results in a column of water being lifted to the surface. Since human effort is used to lift the water this is a major limiting factor.

Hand pump adaptations
Human-powered pumps include foot pumps where a person uses their legs, as opposed to their arms. Also, there are play pumps that look like merry-go-rounds.



Hand pump requirements
These include:

• The choice of hand pump depends on lift characteristics, pump capacity, water demand, and ease of maintenance; and
• The pump must be suited to on-site conditions i.e. be able to lift water from depth if this is required.

Institutional support
Village level operation and maintenance (VLOM) pumps do not require outside support, if community members are trained and are given the appropriate tools. However other pump designs may require external assistance. One of the important issues here is that, since the energy source is free, there are no monthly charges. However money must be still raised for routine maintenance and possible breakages.

Capital requirements
Capital costs are associated with the purchase of the pump, installation, construction of an apron and drainage system, and fencing.

Operation and maintenance
Hand pumps can withstand irregular maintenance far better than electrical or diesel pumps. However, common aspects that require maintenance include failure of the anti-reverse system, failure of the bearings in the head, and excessive wear of gears in geared head pump units.
Generally less maintenance is required for pumps designed with the VLOM philosophy. They are designed for ease of maintenance, low capital and recurrent costs, and robustness. They are manufactured to a standard, publicly available, design and therefore the consumer is not dependant on a single manufacture or supplier.

Advantages of hand pumps
The advantages of hand pumps include the fact that they use a free energy source, namely human power.
Limitations of hand pumps

Limitations include the fact that hand pumps are not suitable to lift groundwater from depths greater than 45 metres, since human power is required to lift the column of water. However if the pump is geared it can be effective up to a depth of 90 meters, but it still require a huge effort for a minimal amount of water.