RP-01638

Malaya proposes to address this question as well as some of the others mentioned
above. His idea, which is intended to bridge the gap between developmental
research and commercialization, is to investigate various manufacturing processes
in detail by developing a small-scale fabrication unit. The project would also seek to:
thoroughly understand the manufacturing processes and the actual costs
involved in producing each composent;
develop the necessary expertise required to consult with manufacturing units
on production procedures;
conduct cost assessments of various manufacturing options; for example,
subcontracting versus manufacture at point of assembly;
establish quality control guidelines and standards;
field-test (utilizing Ministry of Health personnel) mass-produced models of
the pump and evaluate their technical performance;
develop appropriate manuals for transferring the technologies to other
interested groups; and
support complementary projects by providing prototypes, training, and
research on solving any problems that may occur.
It is expected that this project would ultimately result in the establishment of a
research and training centre that could be the focal point of a network of projects
aimed at investigating such concepts as village-level maintenance schemes,
community financing schemes, community acceptance strategies (social marketing),
and the various options for manufacture and assembly.
The discussions during this workshop revealed that this PVC pump may be the
answer for many thousands of rural communities for many years to tome.
However, it is only one of many technical choices, all of which have their place in
the long list of options. In some communities and countries, the PVC pump may
serve as an interim technology, until something better comes along. In other
communities, due to varying social, economic, and environmental conditions, it
may sot be acceptable at all. In still other communities, a more sophisticated level
of technology may be more suitable.
For the many millions of the world's rural population who do not have an option,
this technology is a beginning, a contribution to the target of clean water for all by
1990. But, the future of the Waterloo design now depends upon the interest of
researchers in investigating the problems of implementation. In this age of limited
resources, it is becoming increasingly clear that the future of handpump technology
lies with the villagers themselves. Still, one question remains: how can this
technology and the desire to maintain it best be transferred to those who need it
most?
Research Needs
The following research priorities were identified during the workshop. On the
behavioural or "software" side, research should be conducted on:
development of methodologies designed to promote community acceptante;
development and implementation of various maintenance schemes;
development and testing of community financing and self-help schemes;
development of instructional packages designed for village-level use;
investigation of water-use behavioural patterns and the development of
health education programs designed to change those behavioural patterns
where necessary; and
development of training programs on the management of water resources and
the development of information systems designed to monitor those resources.
On the technological or "hardware" side, there is a need for research on:
development of appropriate, inexpensive, well-drilling technologies;
development of simplified, inexpensive, water-exploration equipment;
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