Afridev Pump
Afridev (Figures 7 and 8) is a lever action handpump operating at dug wells or boreholes of 10 to 45m. It can serve up to 300 people with water consumption of 15 to 20 litres per person per day. The above ground components of the pump are made of galvanised steel and the underground parts are brass or uPVC, so the pump is fully corrosion resistant.
The installation is not very complicated, but it is recommended that a trained group of people assembles it.
The installation is not very complicated, but it is recommended that a trained group of people assembles it.
Problems with Afridev pump
Afridev proved to be a not good enough solution, because of numerous technical problems. For example, in some types of Afridev, the rod connector can over time make a hole in the PVC rising main and thus sawing and re-gluing using PVC sockets may be required (Wood, 1994). This probably would be too complicated to carry out for an average person in the developed countries, so by no means this could be performed by a rural community in Africa.
Another problem arises due to the way the pump rods are connected. A special dip-on device is used for this purpose, however it often comes off after a few months of use and the rod falls down in the pipe. The only way it can be picked up is by means of special fishing tool, which is not easily available for villagers (Wood, 1994).
The rubber plunger seal and footvalve O-ring also wear off over time (they absorb water and expand), which causes difficulties with their removal. This could be prevented by a regular replacement of these parts, but there are various problems with the supply of spares. So far, studies have proven that the communities are not able to fully repair Afridev pumps (Wood, 1994).
Another problem arises due to the way the pump rods are connected. A special dip-on device is used for this purpose, however it often comes off after a few months of use and the rod falls down in the pipe. The only way it can be picked up is by means of special fishing tool, which is not easily available for villagers (Wood, 1994).
The rubber plunger seal and footvalve O-ring also wear off over time (they absorb water and expand), which causes difficulties with their removal. This could be prevented by a regular replacement of these parts, but there are various problems with the supply of spares. So far, studies have proven that the communities are not able to fully repair Afridev pumps (Wood, 1994).