[wordup] Children's roundabout solves the water problem in remote areas.

[Adam Shand]

Pretty freaking cool, even with the "unique advertising opportunity" ...

Adam.

From: http://www.roundabout.co.za/main_the_playpump.htm

Children's roundabout solves the water problem in remote areas.

In remote areas the chore of fetching water usually falls to the women 
or children. A common sight in rural South Africa is that of water 
carriers covering large distances in order to fulfill their daily water 
requirements.

Traditional sources of water collection are from dams, springs, rivers, 
streams and farm reservoirs, with the introduction of boreholes where 
these traditional sources of water are unavailable. Until now such 
boreholes have been operated by handpumps as the use of modern 
alternatives such as diesel, petrol or electric pumps are costly to 
install and have the concomitant constant financial burden of fuel and 
maintenance costs.

A new patented South African invention simplifies the whole, exercise - 
the Play-Pump.

Cavorting on a roundabout has always been fun for children. Now pure, 
clean borehole water can be pumped into water storage tanks while the 
playground roundabout equipment is in use. The Play-Pump is a 
specifically designed and patented playground roundabout that drives 
conventional borehole pumps, keeping costs and maintenance to an 
absolute minimum, while entertaining the children.

How it works.

The revolutionary pump design converts rotational movement to 
reciprocating linear movement by a driving mechanism consisting of only 
two working parts. This makes the pump highly effective, easy to 
operate and very economical.

The Play-Pump is capable of producing 1400 litres per hour at 16 rpm 
from a depth of 40m, and is effective up to a depth of 100m. A typical 
hand pump installation cannot compete with this delivery rate, even 
with substantial effort.

The Playpumps are specifically designed and patented roundabouts (1) 
that drive conventional borehole pumps (2), while entertaining 
children. The revolutionary pump design converts rotational movement to 
reciprocating linear movement by a driving mechanism consisting of only 
two working parts.

This makes the pump highly effective, easy to operate and very 
economical by keeping costs and maintenance to an absolute minimum. The 
pump is capable of producing 1400 litres per hour at 16 rpm from a 
depth of 40 metres and is effective up to a depth of 100 metres. A 
typical hand pump installation cannot compete with this delivery rate, 
even with substantial effort.

Playing on a roundabout or merry-go-round has always been fun for 
children, so there is never a shortage of 'volunteers'. As the children 
spin, water is pumped from underground (3) into a 2500 litre tank (4), 
standing seven metres above the ground. A simple tap provides easy 
access for the mothers and children drawing water (5).

Four landscape billboards (6) screen the tank creating an advertising 
opportunity. Two sides are used for health messages and the other two 
sides are rented out as billboards for commercial messages. This 
advertising revenue ensures ongoing maintenance and sustainability of 
each project.

Sustainability and maintenance

The Play-Pump's storage tank is erected on a 7m high stand and is 
fitted with four 2m x 3m outdoor advertising signs, resulting in a 
unique advertising opportunity for the private sector. Revenue from 
this source pays for the ongoing maintenance and the sustainability of 
each installation.

HIV / AIDS

International organizations such as the Worldbank and the Kaiser Family 
Foundation (Washington DC) see the playpump as the ideal medium to 
inform rural populations on the dangers of HIV/AIDS infection. 
Consequently a large percentage of playpump installations automatically 
carry HIV/AIDS messaging.

As a contractual obligation to our advertisers, Roundabout services the 
sites at regular intervals for general maintenance on the signage. 
Skilled pump maintenance crews will be included in these visits and 
local labour will be trained to take over the ongoing preventative 
maintenance and repairs from funds provided by Roundabout Outdoor.

Progress so far

To date OVER FOUR HUNDRED installations have been completed, a large 
percentage of these installations are at primary schools. A partnership 
has been formed with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry; 
Minister Ronnie Kasrils has been vocal in his support and encouragement 
for the continued installation of this system in rural Africa.

Making it happen.

We believe that the Play-Pump system, due to its practical, economic, 
ecological and social viability, is a progressive and creative way to 
provide free fresh drinking water to rural communities.

With the Play-Pump we can make children happy, reduce the workload for 
women, make a visible step forward in rural water development, and slow 
down the spread of HIV/AIDS.

We urge government departments, International Donor Agencies, NGO's and 
all stakeholders to motivate, and where appropriate, specify the 
installation of the Play-Pump at new and existing sites adjacent to 
schools, clinics and community centres, for the benefit of all 
concerned.

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