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Modern Rope pumps are more efficient than the ancient “Rope and Washer” pumps
and motorised versions can pump from hand-dug or tube wells as deep as 90 meters.* Of the hand pump model, over 70.000 are sold in Latin America and thousands in Asia and Africa. In 2006 there were over 1.5 million people who used the ropepump. In Zimbabwe the number of uses will go from 0.5 million to 5 million before the year 2015. With this increase Zimbabwe may reach the water millenium goal. The pump is an attractive product for local small-scale enterprises, produced with standard materials and so simple that the users |
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| can repair it. Evaluations show that more than 95% of these pumps stay working, | ||
| even after many years of operation.** Due to the change from Piston pumps to Rope pumps (on wells to 60 meters deep), the rural water supply in Nicaragua increased 23% in ten years, 3 times faster than other countries. Its low-cost makes it also fit as a family pump where it proves to be a “money-maker”. Even for domestic use, a US$ 60 pump generates additional net income of US$ 220 per annum.*** Motorised Rope pumps for irrigation cost US$ 350 and generate US$ 1000 per annum or more. |
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First prize
For its potential to improve rural water supply and generate income, the Rope pump, won a shared first prize at the World Water Contest in Kyoto in March 2003. (Winner: Bombas de Mecate SA , Nicaragua) www.worldwaterforum.org
"Este Rope pump es un miraclo". For communal wells it is 10 times cheaper than piston pumps and much easier to maintain. For rural families it is affordable and makes money! (Opinion of M. Gnecco, Director of FDTA Columbia)
This website is financially supported by "Kerkinactie" and PRACTICA foundation
| * | In Nicaragua known as Bomba de mecate. The improvements and dissemination started in 1986 in Nicaragua ao supported by Dutch development aid. |
| ** | IRC evaluation. www.irc.org |
| *** | Survey in North of Nicaragua. CESADE, ICCO-PSO |
