A general discussion of the technology: http://thoughtsfrommalawi.blogspot.com/2009/08/playpump.html

A user-review by a rural African woman (from Chikwawa district, Malawi):
http://thoughtsfrommalawi.blogspot.com/2009/10/playpump-ii.html

A post about the challenges of getting the real story when visiting these things:
http://thoughtsfrommalawi.blogspot.com/2009/11/playpump-iii-challenge-of-taking-photos.html

Thanks,

Owen

(To Rebecca Ryan and others who reacted)

What a lot of people in the WatSan Sector dont like, is the “exploitation” of the water needs in Africa. This is clearly the case with the extreamly expensive and not sustainable Play-Pump. There are many things not OK, like for insance they claim to “give” to 2.500 people per pump water. This is nonsense. It shows that they have no idea on what they are talking about. Kids are at school and may use the wheel for one a short time before and after classes, before getting dizzy. if the pump gives a max of 1,5 m3/h, you are lucky to get a max of 1000 liters per day, which may serve 50 to 100 persons.

Any normal handpump will do the same, but is easier to use by others and so much cheaper! Imagine that with the Playpump, man, woman etc. first have to sit and get dizzy before they can have some water. Sorry…

A normal handpump serves everyone and is easier to maintain. Money counts in the end, we know that in Africa, but the people who sell the Ppaypump only see their own profit, seems??, or maybe they are not well informed and have seen Africa only from pictures and Kruger Safaris?

The problem is always maintenance, and handpumps were also problematic because of frequent breakdowns. That is why we promote a new maintenance free handpump, the AFRIPUMP, made in Holland, yes, the country that has some experience with water, which is now available for Africa.

More info on our website http://www.handpump.org

Sincerely
Paul van Beers
WatSan Consult

p.s. The good aspect of the Playpump is the advertising that could raise some money. On the Afripump this advertising is also possible.

We appreciate the attention for the school water problem, but this “Playpump” is realy not the way to go.

It has been tried out many years ago in South Africa and it didnt work for many reasons.

- after a while, kids dont see the fun anymore
- tanks always empty, so you have to play before
you can drink
- if other people want water, theu have to look
for some kids to play first.
- the tanks are leaking, also through the taps
and water is lost
- advertisement only available in populated
areas, but there is often piped water, so
no need for this expensive system
- it is extremly expensive
- you have to buy 10 at the time at 8.000 to
10.000 US$ each, so it makes no sense for
one school
- maintenance is very complicated and expensive
after some years nobodfy will take care of
it, but “who realy cares anyway…?”

Conclussion:

It is a WatSan fake product, but very well presented by some clecer business guys who have no idea what the real problems and challaenges are in Africa.

These business man probably could care less that the money could be so much better spend for real sustainable activities, as long as they have their profits.

WatSan Consult
Paul van Beers
25 years experience in Rural Africa)

http://www.handpump.org

http://www.watsan.org

Thanks