Water pumps for rural Guatemalan communities

Although statistics for national water coverage are positive in Guatemala, the access to improved water sources for domestic use in remote rural areas is troublesome. Additionally the effects of a changing climate are sensible in every day life. Rainy seasons get shorter and down poor heavier, dry seasons last longer and are hotter. In Guatemala - among many other nations in the world - water security is under pressure.
We want to contribute to the availability of reliable sources of water to every household in developing countries. Therefore we want to work on the following technical challenges:
- water pumps of good quality that are affordable at the bottom of the pyramid.
- an affordable method for poor people to acquire a shallow well that is covered and makes water accessible during most of the dry season.
- a common method of building large (5 to 10 m3) water catchment tanks, affordable because a much smaller quantity of cement needed than usual.

Goals overview

Our qualitive goal is to develop technologies for self-reliance. Truly affordable by the bottom of the pyramid. No extra money or NGO involvement should be needed for the project to grow. In addition we want to work on faster diffusion mechanisms to catch up with hampering Millenium Goals. Bench marks of success will be immediate un-invited, un-subsidized copying of the water pump where demonstrated and needed.

Current status

Currently the design of the fully self-reliant rope pump is in a prototype phase. This prototype is a continuation of 40 years of rope pump experience. Both technologies for the hand dug well and the raincatchment tanks are also currently in a prototype development phase. The ideas are based on our experience in thin cement wall construction for water wells.

Project plan

In Maastricht we research and develop the rope pump to a satisfying level of functionality. Through our NGO network in Guatemala we contact micro entrepreneurs and look for suitable locations. There we further develop the local water technologies together with micro entrepreneurs. Meanwhile they learn - together with us - how to make it. In some weeks the product and its manufacturers grow to a more and more serious production setting. When we leave, a production facility will be available, which will be available to potential end-users.

Expected outcomes

• Non Quantifiable; Qualitative bench-marks of success
• Benchmark1: autonomous copying of the water pump
• Benchmark2: income generation and local selling of the pump
• Benchmark at longer term: improvement of livelyhood

The Demotech messengers actively scan the country for needs of the technologies, connecting supply and demand. The messengers are paid local workers of Demotech. Contacts are sustained through e-mail and telephone. The microentrepreneurs produce for the local economy. The technologies are affordable for local people. Investments needed for production are close to zero. The NGO(s) monitor and evaluate. They regularly update us the project status. They do so because they benefit from increased output in their area. They can be accounted for this, without too much effort in achieving this. Additionally we plan to revisit Guatemala in the near future for other projects. Updates of existing projects will be part of the work then.