Author(s): Induka Werellagama; Gregory Costa; Tsutomu Hayashi

Linked Author(s): Induka Werellagama

Keywords: Hand pump wells; Water resilience; Civil defense

Abstract: Hand pump wells for water supply in two developing countries (Sri Lanka and Mauritius), is reviewed, and hand pumps as a disaster relief water supply, in Japan (current usage) and New Zealand (possible usage) are investigated. Data from one council area in Sri Lanka was obtained. Out of 45 wells installed, 17 (38%) Hand pumps wells are working. 20 (44%) wells were abandoned due to collapsing of the well (due to over pumping). 8 hand pumps (18%) were removed/ out of order. “India Mark II” and “Neera” pumps were selected for two reasons. Made in India and locally, they are widely used. The technology/ spare parts used were those from bicycle parts. This enabled daily pump maintenance to be done by anyone with know-how to maintain bicycles. Also, the spare parts were available in many villages. The village level mechanics trained by the water projects, migrated to cities, as they found other jobs with the skills acquired from well project. The councils had to take over maintenance from community organisations, and now councils cite lack of funds as the reason for hand pump well failure. Water Resources Board (Sri Lanka) has a detailed permit (form), which requires well-log data and GPS coordinates, and specifies the well drilling method (direct rotary, air, or hard rock drilling by DTH drilling), prior to granting permission to install wells. In Mauritius, where rural farmers depended on driven wells, the broken pumps were removed and taken to the city for repair. No one advised them to seal and protect the well bore, after the pump was removed. This led to the wind-carried manure entering the well, contamination of aquifer. This situation was remedied by providing know-how (and well-caps) to well users. A good water resilience example from a developed country, is city of Yokohama in Japan, where people in every street practice pumping water (regularly) using hand pumps, from pre-built water storage reservoirs, which are actually large pipes, installed in many streets. Having practiced hand pumping in normal days, the public can look after their water supply immediately after a disaster. Wellington in NZ also can enhance civil-defense water resilience in some areas of Wellington city, which may be without water for more than 100 days after a disaster event. Hand pump wells can be installed in public parks, within walking distance from homes. People can practice hand-pumping water when they visit the park. The water can flow to flower beds and grass swales, irrigating them. If water supply is disrupted after a disaster event, people can pump the water and use for drinking etc. The hand pumps usage in developing countries and in Japan, can be a useful guideline for NZ.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221354

Year: 2022