How to pump water from a well
From Audiopedia
All pumps have one thing in common: if they break, there is no water. For most people, the best pump is one they can build, operate, and repair by themselves, or that can be repaired by trusted local mechanics. Think about the following questions when choosing a pump: Will the pump be usable by and meet the needs of both men and women? What kind of energy source is available? If a pump uses costly fuel, or electricity that is not available, it will not be useful. Is the pump easy to repair with available spare parts? Would it be better to have a pump that breaks easily but is very easy to repair locally, or a pump that will break after many years but cannot be easily repaired by local people?
A simple and affordable way to pump water from a well or other sources is a foot-operated “money-maker” pump. It works by stepping on two pedals that are connected to a mechanism, which pushes water up from the well or other source. This pump is ideal for small farms or households as it doesn’t need fuel or electricity. This pump is especially useful for irrigation and can be used to water crops efficiently.
A rope pump is another low-cost, easy-to-use tool for lifting water from wells. It’s very effective for bringing up water from wells as deep as 15 meters without much effort. The main parts of a rope pump include a wheel with a handle, a length of rope, and a pipe that goes down into the well. To use the pump, a person turns the handle on the wheel. As the wheel turns, it moves the rope up through the pipe. Along the rope, there are small rubber discs that fit tightly inside the pipe. These discs act like small scoops, lifting water up through the pipe and out into a spout at the top of the well. When the water comes out of the spout, you can collect it in a bucket or container. This type of pump is very affordable to make, simple to build, easy to use and easy to repair with local materials if something breaks. The rope is the part that’s most likely to wear out, but even if it’s just tied back together without a full replacement, the pump will usually keep working. The wheel at the top can be made from something as simple as an old bicycle wheel or any other round object that lets you turn the rope smoothly. The pipe that brings up the water is usually around 4 centimeters wide, giving enough space for the water to rise without clogging. This pump is a good choice for families or small farms.
Each of these pumps offers a different way to access water depending on the depth of the well and the community’s needs. They are low-cost, require minimal maintenance, and are designed for areas where power sources like electricity are not available, providing a practical solution for safe water access.