Extensive research was conducted into recent developments in water lifting techniques. This included a literature search, particularly concentrating on simple, small-scale water technologies appropriate for rural areas in developing countries. Visits were made to a number of organisations concerned with research into water pumping technology, and to development organisations implementing community water supply systems and small-scale irrigation projects.

The information collected was then analysed, and used to update a previous publication, 'Water-Pumping Devices' by Peter Fraenkel, initially published by both FAO and IT Publications in 1986. The book was completely re-written, and extended to include drinking water supply, and material on the social and development factors involved in water projects.

The text of the Water-Lifting Devices book, together with illustrations, has been prepared for publication, and is due to be released mid 1999.

There is a wealth of devices that have been used successfully for water lifting. Some ingenious devices have traditionally been used in certain areas, and have proved themselves over centuries, but are virtually unknown elsewhere. Some modern devices are also geographically limited: the Chinese turbine pump is a modern technology that has been very successful in one country, but is hardly seen in the rest of the world. Other devices, such as Stirling-engine pumps, have been extensively used in the past, but are unobtainable today. By making such devices more widely known, this project extends the range of options available to those implementing water project.

It is, however, clear that traditional water-lifting techniques are giving way modern technology, and that a fairly limited range of water-lifting devices are being actively promoted. There is a natural tendency to for water supply and irrigation projects to use commercially-available technology that has been used and tested in other parts of the world: village-level drinking water supply tends to be satisfied with reciprocating piston handpumps; small-scale irrigation tends to be done with centrifugal pumps and small engines. Choosing known technologies has some merit, but it neglects alternatives that may be better. It is also often found that standard, commercial equipment is relatively expensive, and is frequently installed in very inefficient systems. This project will help those choosing established technologies to design efficient, sustainable systems, but will also help people to introduce tried and tested techniques that may be new for their area.

'Water Lifting Devices', Peter Fraenkel, Jeremy Thake and Lara Bertarelli, IT Publications, London, due for publication mid-1999.

Water-Lifting Devices; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 43; Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome, 1986.

Water-Pumping Devices, A Handbook for Users and Choosers; Intermediate Technology Publications, London; 2nd Edition, 1997.

It is planned to publicise the book widely, through the FAO as well as through IT Publications international network and contacts.

Tel: +44 118 973 0073
Fax: +44 118 973 0820
Email: jeremy.thake@itpower.co.uk