UTILIZATION/EVALUATION OF AN AID HAND-OPERATED WATER PUMP; PROGRESS REPORT, JULY, 1977-JAN. 1978

began a series of contracts with the Battelle Memorial Institute to design and laboratory test a reciprocating shallow- and deep-well hand pump. This report evaluates the performance and acceptability of the A.I.D. pump in comparison with other pumps used in LDC"s and the feasibility of local manufacture of the A.I.D. pumps. The evaluation program consisted of the manufacture of the pumps in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, the purchase of locally available competitive pumps, and installation of the pumps in rural villages and field performance over a one-year period. At the present time, data encourages the further manufacture, installation and use of the A.I.D. pump. It can be manufactured at a competitive, profitable price and at an acceptable level of quality. Public acceptance by rural villagers has been good, both from an aesthetic standpoint and from a standpoint of the pump being easily used by men, women and children. It is expected to have a positive impact on the health of rural people, on employment generation, on a positive balance of trade, and on instilling national pride within the people. While numerous manufacturing problems were encountered in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the most were problems which often occur when a product is introduced into production for the first time. Appendix 3 contains 30 working drawings of the A.I.D./Battelle pump.