Roping in the community - WaterAid (sitios de interés)

WaterAid | Roping in the community

Using locally sourced, cheap materials, the rope pump in Mozambique provides water and work.

The lack of infrastructure, spare parts and cash economy all contribute to the problems of maintaining water pumps in rural areas. If they break and can't be fixed communities are forced back to dirty water sources.

Piloted in 1993, the rope pump provides a simple solution. Made cheaply from locally available materials such as tyres and rope they supply safe, clean water and can be easily mended if they break.

From my experience, says local contractor Mr Chitime, "communities readily accept the rope pump. They can see it is simple."

(c) WaterAid 2008