Vergnet Hydro is a commercial manual pump manufacturer based in France that uses a distinctive pumping mechanism where the piston movement is hydraulically transmitted via a flexible hose to a rubber diaphragm down in the pumping element. It is designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of 300 people. The maximum recommended lift is 60 m (with one variant rated as suitable to 100m). The Vergnet pumps are fully corrosion resistant and installation of the pump is easy. Maintenance requirements are simple; above ground components allow interventions by the village caretaker, but below ground components are difficult to repair due to the precision engineering and specialist materials. 

Description

The Hydropump has unconventional design features. The pump is operated by foot with a pedal. The displacement of the piston located at ground level is hydraulically transmitted to a rubber diaphragm down in a stainless steel cylinder. The expansion and the contraction of the diaphragm deliver the water to the surface. The top cylinder is connected to the pumping element on the bottom, via a flexible hose. A key advantage of this over fixed pump rod pumps is that the boreholes does not need to be completely straight or vertical.

Can be fitted with a mechanical flow meter.

There are currently four above-ground pumping variants:

• Hand (arm) pumps:
  • MPV60: manual pumps (depths of 0 to 60 metres)
  • Hydro India (HI): manual pumps (depths of 0 to 60 metres) - above ground appearance similar to an India Mark II/III
• HPV line foot-pumps:
  • HPV 60-2000 : manual pumps (depths of 0 to 60 metres)
  • HPV 100: manual pumps (depths of 40 to 120 metres)

Materials Used

Pump stand is made of galvanized steel painted, foot pedal of mild steel, pipes of flexible LDPE hose, top and bottom cylinder of stainless steel, pumping element of a rubber diaphragm and valves of brass. This pump is corrosion resistant.

Installation and Maintenance

The installation of the Hydropump is very simple and does not need any lifting equipment.

This pump has a good “Community Management Potential”. The above ground components allow interventions by the village caretaker, but below ground components are difficult to repair. 

Manufacturing

The Hydropump is a protected product and is not intended for local manufacturing. Only the steel parts of the pump stand would have a potential for local manufacturing.

Remarks

The replacement of a diaphragm is expensive. The pump requires a considerable effort to operate. Although full body weight can be applied to the pedal, children and small users find it sometimes hard to operate the pump. If the yield of the borehole allows and the water demand is high, 2 pumps in one borehole can be installed.

Distribution:           > 100,000 pumps, mainly in West Africa,
Supplier:                Vergnet SA (Odial Solutions Group), France.

More information

• Vergnet Hydro

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-RWSN handpump design and endorsement by RWSN, Skat or any of its member organisations should not be inferred.