1. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY
In Northern Province the two predominant types in this main classification are:
i. The cylinder bucket pump, which is mostly used in boreholes, or tube wells. A
cylinder bucket pump comprises of a windlass, a cylinder bucket with a valve in
the bottom and a chain to which the
bucket is attached. The pump functions
by lowering the cylinder bucket on a
chain into the water using a windlass.
When the bucket hits the water, the
valve opens (due to the pressure exerted
by the water) and allows water to flow
in.
On raising the bucket, the valve
closes thereby retaining the water in the
bucket.
To release the water, the
operator rests the bucket on a water
discharger, which forces the valve to
open, and releases the water. Grooved
wooden poles support the windlass. The
groves form the bearings. The volume
of the cylinder bucket is approximately 5 litres so that the discharge is relatively
low and depends to a large extent on depth. A cylinder bucket pump is normally
used on boreholes with a static water level of less than 20m.
ii. Rope/chain and bucket on a windlass. This is mostly used on hand-dug wells.
It comprises of a windlass, a bucket (10-20 litres) and a chain/rope to which the
bucket is attached. The pump functions by lowering the bucket, on a chain/rope,
into the water by rotating a windlass.
When the bucket hits the water, it dips
due to its own weight and that of the
chain/rope and fills itself with water.
The bucket is pulled up by rotating the
windlass in the opposite direction to that
used when lowering. The windlass is
supported on grooved wooden poles or
brick columns with rubber bearings.
The pump discharge depends on the
depth and the size of buckets used. 0.25
l/s is about the maximum.
The
operation is tedious and therefore the pump is not convenient for wells deeper than
20m.
2. DESCRIPTION OF O&M ACTIVITIES
Operation
Operation of Windlass, Chain and Bucket pump involves lowering and raising the
bucket by rotating the windlass and exercising hygiene in the handling of chain and
bucket to avoid contaminating the water.
1
Maintenance
In comparison to handpumps, maintenance requirements for bucket pumps are very low.
Preventive maintenance consists of keeping the surrounding and the pump clean, greasing the
windlass bearings and checking that the windlass supports are firmly fixed. Additionally,
cylinder bucket type requires checking bolts and nuts and the functioning of the valve.
Minor repairs involve mending of holes in the bucket, repair of link in the chain, reconnecting
hinges of bucket and replacement of valve washer for cylinder bucket. Where original spare
valves are not available these have to be fabricated by cutting rubber discs from tyres and
attaching them to a nut and bolt.
Major repairs depend on the type and mainly consist of replacing bucket, rope/chain
or windlass for both types. For the cylinder bucket type, these also involve fixing the
bottom edge of the bucket.
3. O&M REQUIREMENTS
Activity
Clean surrounding
Repair Bucket
Pump
Type
Type i & ii
Type i & ii
Frequency
Daily
Occasionally
Human
Resource
Local
Local or
zone
Materials &
Spares
Valve/edge
unit
Check & tighten bolts Type i
Weekly
Local
Nuts & bolts
Change bucket
Replace rope/chain
Type i & ii
Type ii
Occasionally
Occasionally
Local
Local
Lubricate bearings
Type i & ii
Local
Repair valve
Type i
Occasionally
/ every two
weeks
Occasionally
Bucket, wire
Rope/chain,
wire
Grease or oil
Repair platform
Type i & ii
Occasionally
Local
Local
Washer or old
car tube, bolts,
Split pin or
wire
Cement, sand,
gravel
Tools &
Equipment
Broom
Saw, hammer,
pliers
Flat spanner
2 spanners,
pliers.
Pliers
Pliers
2 socket
spanners, long
and short
Bucket, trowel
Note: Type i: Windlass, chain and cylinder bucket. Type ii: windlass, Chain and ordinary bucket
4. ACTORS INVOLVED AND SKILLS REQUIRED IN O&M
Actor
User
Caretaker
V-WASHE committee
Area mechanic or artisan
Sub district WASHE
committee
D-WASHE committee
Stockists of spares
Funding Agency
Roles/Responsibilities
Keep site clean, draw water and
contribute funds for O&M
Ensure site is clear and carry-out
minor repairs and preventive
maintenance
Organise local labour, raise funds
Repair windlass, bucket, chain
Facilitate O&M activities
Skills
Facilitate implementation of O&M
activities (back up support)
Stock and sell spares
Provide funds
Basic skills in O&M
Negotiation skills
Basic maintenance
Organisational skills
Basic skills in O&M
Financial management
2
Organisational aspects
Implementation of O&M activities requires well-defined structures, roles and responsibilities,
a clear mechanism for decision-making and an effective support system.
In Northern Province the primary actors in O&M activities are communities. They should
establish systems to deal with issues of control, and use. Before commissioning, users should
be given simple lessons on how to operate and maintain the installation. Regular monitoring
and occasional external assistance are vital.
5. COSTS
Capital costs
The initial cost for installing a windlass, chain and bucket pump will depend on the type and
depth of well. For a 20m well the following are the typical initial costs.
Type i.
Type ii.
Cylinder bucket type; US dollar 200-300 (ZK 1,000,000 – 1,500,000)
10-20 litre bucket type; US dollar 300-400 (ZK 1,500,000 – 2,000,000)
O&M costs
O&M costs involve regular purchase of grease, occasional repair or purchase of chain, bucket
and windlass.
6. LIMITATIONS, PROBLEMS AND REMARKS
Limitations

Low discharge rates

Limited to shallow depths, not more than 20m

Susceptibility to contamination

Communities may not have the capacity to replace windlass and chain
Problems
Common problems include:

Stones and debris thrown into the well by children

Bucket drops into well/borehole

Broken chain

Loose valve parts for the cylinder bucket type

Vandalism and theft of components

Damage to windlass and bucket due to improper use

Lack of welding facilities in rural communities for welding windlasses and
buckets
Remarks
In Northern Province, these lifting devices have contributed to the availability of
sufficient quantities of clean, potable water for most rural communities. On a large
scale, the windlass, chain and bucket technology has continued to present itself as the
most convenient, appropriate and cheap means of delivering water.
3