What is a Play Pump?
A play pump is a type of water pump that can work together with a merry-go-round designed for children. The pump gets mechanical power when children play on the merry-go-round. This helps in bringing water into a storage tank and this water is used in plumbing fixtures and in feeding spigots. The design of a play pump is very simple and its maintenance is simple too. For this reason, the installation of the pump is easier in rural areas, and safe drinking water can be supplied steadily. Although these pumps can be installed anywhere in the world, they are commonly seen in Africa.
A play pump is similar to a windmill in design. The pumping system activates when children play on the merry-go-round. There is no need for additional power as gravity brings the water down from the storage tank when needed. The water is pushed out because of the pressure generated on it when someone opens a spigot. The parts of the play pump can be replaced easily and are cheap in terms of cost. Because of its simple design, a person having basic mechanical abilities can easily take care of the play pump.
A play pump not only provides clean water and a place for children to play, it can be used for displaying public health messages about topics like HIV/AIDS. Public service announcements can be posted on the sides of the storage tank. The initial cost required in making a play pump can also be recovered by leasing it out as a billboard.
Options like play pumps are important in the developing world where the issue of safe drinking water is vital. These pumps can be installed by charity organizations as a mission so that villages can get a steady supply of safe drinking water. A play pump can also be purchased by a group of villages. The residents of a village can meet their needs of water with the help of a single play pump located at the center of the village.
It should be checked beforehand that the underlying water is safe from any kind of contamination, so that a play pump can prove useful after it has been installed. Although a play pump can be linked to a river, most agencies related to development avoid this because of the risks due to toxins and pathogens carried by the rivers. However, a water treatment and purification system can be connected to a play pump to ensure that the water is safe for consumption. The groundwater must be tested for safety because the filtration of water is a complex and costly process.
Category: Technology