RP-01638

about 50% of the cost of the existing pumps.
The basic data available in the Malaysian
case are shown in Table 4. Several points
should be noted.
Only the IDRC-University of Malaya
(UM) experimental pump could be
accurately assessed in terras of cost
(Table 5). This is likely to appear high in
view of the limited number of pumps
produced and the research element
involved in the design and construction.
The mass-production cost of the IDRC-
UM model can only be estimated at
present and is based on quotations
obtained from local plastic manufacturers
regarding bulk orders of the different
pump components. By experimenting
with different manufacturing processes,
it may be possible to find ways to
reduce these prices.
Data on other pumps (Gibson and Fuji)
are obtained from the Ministry of
Health records and from field interviews.
The life recorded in the field for non-
IDRC pumps is extremely short, ranging
from 6 months to 5 years.
All 12 suction pumps installed in the field
in the past 2 years are still in operation.
Hence, there are no figures available on
the actual lifespan of these pumps. An
Table 5. Major cost components ($) of experimental
and production version of IDRC-UM handpump.
Composent
Experimental Production
Piston and foot valve 59.00 8.40
Spout 4,10 4.10
Piston cylinder 20.20 8.70
Drop pipe and pistonrod
assembly 9.80 9.80
Metal stand 17.40 17.40
Leverage assembly 16.40 16.40
Bolts and washers 6.10 8.20
Total cost 133.00 73.00
estimate of 7-9 years is used for the
purpose of this analysis.
The nonusable pumps are kept for spare
parts. Thus there is no definite salvage
value for the pumps. Therefore, the
salvage value is assumed to be zero at the
end of the economic lite of the pump.
Cost data obtained from 1978 to 1981
showed no significant increase in cost
due to inflation. These cost figures are
assumed to be in 1980 constant dollars.
Water supply situation
Only 43% of rural households in Malaysia
are served with piped water (Table 6). However,
this figure will rise to 58% by 1985 if
current plans under the Fourth Malaysia Plan
are implemented. In terms of the number of
rural households, this means that a total of
994 000 households in 1980 and 833 000
households in 1985 will still have to rely on
traditional sources for their daily water
requirements.
The Ministry of Health has, since the late
1960s, supplied handpumps to a limited
number of rural households. At present, a
total of about 5500 wells serving about 22 000
households have been constructed. This
figure is, however, only about 50% of the
target set in the Third Malaysia Plan. One of
the main reasons for this shortfall is the
difficulty in obtaining handpumps. At present,
all the handpumps used by the Ministry of
Health have to be imported: these include
pumps such as the Dragon, Fuji, Gibson, and
SGP. These pumps are relatively cheap but
the experience of the Ministry is that they
rarely last for more than 1 year. Also, there
is a lack of spare parts whenever the pumps
break down.
The program under the Fourth Malaysia
Plan is to increase the number of handpumps
installed by 12 382 to serve about 60 000
Table 6. Number ('000) and percentage of rural households served by piped water.'
No. of No. served % served with
rural households with piped water piped water
1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990
Peninsular Malaysia 1485 1656 1801 698 1043 1388 47 63 77
Sabah 102 159 175 18 62 106 18 39 61
Sarawak 164 189 208 41 66 91 25 35 44
Total 1751 2004 2184 757 1171 1585 43 58 73
Source: Government of Malaysia. 1981. Fourth Malaysia Plan.
'It is assumed that rural households will constitute 60% of population in 1990 as compared to 38% in 1985; and that the
number of rural households that will be served with piped water for 1985-1990 will be the saure as that for 1980-1985,
i.e., 414 000 households.
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