February 8, 2011
Breakthrough for WaterAid-endorsed rope pump in Mozambique

The Government of Mozambique has approved the use of rope pumps across the country. This represents a fantastic achievement for WaterAid, which has been piloting and advocating the use of the technology in the country for seven years.

Rope pumps are easier for communities to maintain than many other types of handpump. Therefore they contribute to ensuring sustainable, long-term delivery of safe, clean water to many of the more remote areas in Mozambique.

• Download a poster about the rope pump here 

WaterAid has advocated for their use since our research found that only 10% of Afridevs, a common handpump in developing countries, are repaired within a week of breaking down, and 40% fall into permanent disrepair within three years.

The rope pump is easier to maintain - the most common part that needs replacing is the rope, which can be found in most local markets.
Erik Harvey, Technical Support Manager, WaterAid

Erik Harvey, WaterAid's Technical Support Manager, said: "Ensuring facility maintenance is an endemic problem in the sector. Spare parts for the Afridev are difficult to source. The rope pump is easier to maintain - the most common part that needs replacing is the rope, which can be found in most local markets.

"Some people argue that the rope pump breaks down more often; however, we have found it to be more hard-wearing than expected, and think frequent maintenance ensures the technical skills do not get lost."

In order to ensure consistency across the country, the Mozambique government had only authorized use of the Afridev. WaterAid advocated, however, that communities should be given a choice of technologies for shallower wells. 

After monitoring the pumps installed in WaterAid's pilot program, the National Department of Water authorized the use of rope pumps in the following instances:

• For household water supplies (self supply)
• For the water supply of communities in rural areas that do not exceed 20 families or 150 people
• For use in shallow wells with depths that do not exceed 25 meters

WaterAid's pilot rope pump program

Rope pump technology was first developed in Nicaragua by the company Bombas De Mecate, and WaterAid initially worked closely with them to train local manufacturers in Mozambique.

WaterAid launched a three-year pilot program in 2003, and followed this with recommendations to the government for a wider roll-out across the country.

Three manufacturers were supported in rolling out rope pumps on a pilot scale, and were encouraged to share their skills, knowledge and experience to build capacity around the technology to develop a locally appropriate design. 

"This has been a long process that has required lots of commitment, both from WaterAid staff in Niassa and Zambézia, as well as from local private sector manufacturers," said Erik.

"The big challenge now is to encourage these manufacturers to expand their production and market the pumps for 'self supply' and small scale irrigation. Increasing the numbers of pumps installed in an area will encourage more people to become highly skilled in repair as well as increasing the availability of spare parts.

"However, the Afridev is still in use in many areas and many communities still prefer it. It is also the pump of choice in Mozambique for deeper wells and we are working hard to help local governments create local sustainability strategies for all water supplies.

"Let alone the fact that this is vital for people's health and survival, it is simply cheaper to maintain a pump than to replace it. This frees up capital to expand clean water coverage in other areas."

WaterAid is also running rope pump programs for shallow water supplies in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria and Mali.

Erik added: "We now have a wide range of experience across these countries and we are in the process of pulling together the information to help other WaterAid country programes or organizations introduce the rope pump."

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