afridev/ImiI hand pump upgrades

Problem:

Millions of Afridev and India Mark II (IMII) hand pumps have been installed around the world, and these hand pumps still serve as critical sources of water for hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Unfortunately, research estimates that up to 38% of these pumps are non-functional or not working properly at any given time. When they are working, they often produce water with unacceptable levels of lead and are prone to rapid corrosion. This is a dire situation for the hundreds of millions of people who rely on these pumps for their daily water needs, and we recognized the urgency of their plight.

Solution:

Afridev/IMII Hand Pump Upgrades

In 2022, Design Outreach initiated a new project aimed to design and implement upgrades for the Afridev and India Mark II (IMII) hand pumps, which are the most widely used public domain pump technologies. These new upgrades will enhance the reliability of the Afridev and IMII pumps by increasing their maintenance interval from 6 months to approximately 2 years and by reducing corrosion and lead contamination. By doing so, these upgrades will provide a cost-effective solution to improve the performance of existing technologies, reduce the frequency of breakdowns, minimize the financial burden of ongoing maintenance, and ensure that even more individuals have access to safe water. Our goal is to ensure that these pumps fulfill their intended purpose. While we believe that LifePump, which has a lifespan of 30 years or more, is the ultimate solution, we don't want to see anyone left behind. For those communities that don't yet qualify for a LifePump, a more reliable Afridev or IMII pump would dramatically change their lives.