RP-01638

only the costs of the piston and cylinder are
given because the length of the riser pipe
depends on well depth.
The costs of DMR and ARD handpumps
are based on mass-production, whereas the
cost of the AIT-PVC system is based on a
single order. Thus the cost of the AIT-PVC
handpump could be reduced further if the
pump were mass produced. The cost of the
AIT-PVC handpump was 3100 Baht, whereas
the DMR and ARD handpumps were 2800
and 3200 Baht, respectively.
Conclusion
The performance of the Waterloo handpump
was studied in detail under both field
and laboratory conditions. Existing handpumps
in Thailand were also reviewed and
their performance under simulated conditions
was assessed. After careful observation in
the laboratory, the below-ground components
of the Waterloo pump were modified and
installed in 54 wells and monitored for
15 months. Unlike the plastic handpumps
that are available commercially and intended
for use in shallow wells (2-5 m), the Waterloo
handpump was found to be applicable up to a
depth of 20 m. For deeper wells, a smaller
diameter piston should be employed.
Based on the field monitoring and laboratory
test results, a modified version, called the
AIT-PVC handpump, was designed. On a
trial basis, three of these handpumps were
installed in the field and their performance
was observed over 6 months. These handpumps
performed satisfactorily and were
appreciated by the villagers. One advantage
of this proposed handpump is the use of PVC
riser pipe that simultaneously acts as the
cylinder of the pumping unit.
The field tests indicated that the Waterloo
handpumps required some maintenance and
repair. The weakest part of the pumping
system was the foot valve, which often leaked
in wells that contained sand particles in the
water. However, the results cannot be fully
evaluated because the frequency of pump
usage was not included in the monitoring
process.
Source Documents
ARD (Accelerated Rural Development Office).
1980. Improvement of handpump design in Thailand.
Bangkok, Thailand: Ministry of the Interior,
ARD. Report published under the sponsorship of
United Nations Children's Fund, Equipment
Control Division.
Kingham, J.A. 1979. Progress report on testing of
IDRC prototype pumps. London, U.K.: Consumers'
Association.
NIDA (National Institute of Development Administration).
1978. Evaluation on national rural
water supply program. Bangkok, Thailand: NIDA.
Research report under the joint sponsorship of
the National Economic and Social Development
Board and the United Nations Children's Fund.
(In Thai.)
Rudin, A. and Plumtree, A. 1978. Design for plastic
hand pump and well. Waterloo, Ont., Canada:
University of Waterloo. Report No. 3 (Project
609-01-02).
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