Documentation of Experiences and Lessons Learnt in the prevention of Rapid Handpump Corrosion in Uganda Stop the Rot: Action Research on handpump corrosion and component quality in Sub-Saharan Africa

Description:

About 67% of the population of rural Uganda rely on a handpump, and, according to the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) database, the country currently has an asset base of over 63,000 handpumps. While there is a policy shift towards piped supplies (including using solar-driven pumps), handpumps will remain important in providing water to Uganda’s rural population for the foreseeable future. The U2 and U3 (known elsewhere as the India Mark II and Mark III), as well as the Uganda 3 Modified Pump (U3M) are the standardised pumps used in the country.

In recognition of the widespread corrosion problem in Uganda, in 2016 MWE issued a letter suspending the use of galvanised iron riser pipes. Despite the fact that rapid corrosion is a problem in at least 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (plus Sudan), Uganda is one of the very few countries to have taken affirmative action to address the issue.

This short study, funded by The Waterloo Foundation, set out to document Uganda’s experience and lessons learnt in preventing rapid corrosion. It is intended to provide insights and recommendations for Uganda and other countries. The study has found qualitative evidence that the suspension of use of GI pipes on handpump installations in Uganda has had an overall positive effect on reducing the phenomenon of handpump corrosion in the country. While most stakeholders seem to be aware of the suspension of GI riser pipes and rods, this does not seem to be fully adhered to, with some district local governments, NGOs and communities apparently still installing GI on new installations or for replacements.

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Bibliographical Information:

Danert, K., Bisoborwa, P. Kyeyune, E., Mutiibwa, R. and Nakayima, L. (2024) Documentation of Experiences and Lessons Learnt in the prevention of Rapid Handpump Corrosion in Uganda. Stop the Rot: Action Research on handpump corrosion and component quality in Sub-Saharan Africa , https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.22838.72004 , RWSN , Ask for Water GmbH, Ministry of Water and Environment, Skat Foundation , St Gallen, Switzerland

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