Mobile tech reduces water hand pump problems

water supplies thanks to innovative mobile technology designed by Oxford University, R&D reports.

Hand pumps provide the main source of drinking water for rural communities in Africa, but around one-third of them do not work at any one time. It can take up to a month or more before they are fixed, leaving communities without easy access to clean water. But in August, Oxford University researchers will start a pilot project in Kenya to install new, low-cost data transmitters that work in a similar way to mobile phones.

These Smart Hand Pumps will automatically send a text message to the district and national water managers, so they know when and where there is a problem, as well as when the problem has been fixed, University of Oxford writes.

Researcher Patrick Thomson said: “The technology is simple and robust. The transmitter is no bigger than a mobile phone and fits inside the hand pump. It automatically registers the movement of the handle of the pump, and from this, calculates the amount of water extracted from the pump. An automatic text about the water usage at each pump is sent at regular intervals to water supply managers, who then immediately know when and where a pump needs fixing. This should enable problems to be addressed more quickly and transparently than they are at the moment, so people don't have to go without safe water - with all the resulting health problems that can cause.”

According to the UK's Department for International Development, the government has announced that it will back the pilot of 'Smart Hand Pumps' in Kenya as part of a drive to back innovations that make aid work harder and go further in addressing longstanding problems.

The Oxford researchers will roll out the technology in August to 70 village hand pumps across Kyuso district, an area that commonly experiences droughts. It will be the first place in the world to use this new mobile technology to improve the functionality of its hand pumps. It also has the potential to provide a reliable, lasting source of clean water for the poorest communities.