Implementation • Handpump Technology

Bush Pump

The Bush Pump is a robust conventional lever action handpump, developed and standardised in Zimbabwe (SAZ 881:2004). It is designed for heavy-duty use, serving communities of 300 persons. Three different cylinders are available, the smallest one extend the range to a maximum recommended lift of 80 m. The Bush Pump is not corrosion resistant. It requires special skills for installation as well as for the maintenance; it is not a VLOM pump.

Peter Morgan has produced a set of Inspection training videos.

 

National Standards

Description

The Bush Pump is a conventional lever action handpump. The typical feature of this pump is the “Hardwood block” that acts as both, bearing and lever mechanism. The pump is designed that the stand can be directly bolted to the protruding 6” steel casing of the borehole, Ø150 mm NB (Nominal Bore).

'B' Bush Pump in Epworth, Zimbabwe (Dr Peter Morgan)

Material

Pump stand made of mild steel painted, handle & riser pipes of galvanized GI pipe, pump rods are of galvanized steel, cylinder of brass, bearing block of hardwood, plunger and foot valve of bronze or brass. This pump is not corrosion resistant and should not be used in areas with aggressive water (pH < 6.5).

Local manufacturing

The Bush Pump has excellent potential for local manufacturing and is produced by different companies in Zimbabwe.

Installation

The installation of the Bush Pump needs well trained area mechanics. Lifting tackle is used for pump installation and maintenance interventions. No special tools are needed.

  Technical data

Ø75 mm cylinder: for depths from 3 - 25 m,
Ø63.5 mm cylinder:  for depths from 20 - 45 m,
Ø50 mm cylinder: for depths from 40 - 80 m
Maximum Stroke: 200 - 250 mm,
Approx. discharge (75 watt input, 63.5 mm cylinder): at 10 m head:     1.4 m³/hour,
  at 15 m head:     1.1 m³/hour,
  at 25 m head:     0.8 m³/hour,
  at 30 m head:     0.7 m³/hour,
Pumping lift:         5 - 80 m,
Population served:  ~ 300 people,
Households: 30 - 50 households,
Water consumption:  15 - 20 l/per capita
Type of well:  borehole or dug well.

Maintenance

The pump with the standard configuration has a limited “Community Management Potential”, but it is very reliable and popular with the community. The “open top cylinder version” gives the possibility of a simpler maintenance (see remarks).

Remarks

Besides the “Standard” configuration, there exists an “Open Top Cylinder” version with different cylinder sizes (Ø50 mm, Ø63.5 mm and Ø75 mm). To make maintenance easy, pump rods with casehardened hook & eye connectors are standard (Ø16 mm).

Distribution:        > 30,000 in Zimbabwe.

Abbreviations:

GI Galvanized Iron,
ES Extractable System,
NES Non Extractable System,

Documentation

Inspection training videos.

MORGAN, P (2020) Zimbabwe bush pump - 53mm open top cylinder model. , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Aquamor Pvt Ltd

MORGAN, P (2019) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump, Aquamor Pvt Ltd

MORGAN, P (2017) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump: 54 mm open top cylinder model. Recent research into technical methods of reducing down time, using standard downthe- hole equipment , Aquamor Pvt Ltd

GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE (2013) Bush Pump. Zimbabwe Standard Specification 2013, Department of Water Resources and Development, Government of Zimbabwe , Harare, Zimbabwe

GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE (2013) INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION CHARTS FOR PUMP HEAD AND “DOWN THE HOLE” COMPONENTS OF B TYPE BUSH PUMP, Extract from National Standards Specifications - SAZS 881:2013 (Appendix B and C), Government of Zimbabwe

BAUMANN, E. and S. G. FUREY (2013) How Three Handpumps Revolutionised Rural Water Supplies. A brief history of the India Mark II/III, Afridev and the Zimbabwe Bush Pump , Skat , RWSN , St Gallen, Switzerland

MORGAN, P (2012) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump (“B”type) Useful templates and tools for examining the pump head, Aquamor Pvt Ltd, Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2012) Making a strong “head-works” for the Zimbabwe Bush Pump. (for boreholes) , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2012) Practical Guidelines for the inspection of the Zimbabwe "B" type Bush Pump. Geometry and preliminary inspection , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2012) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump Inspection of the “B” type Bush Pump Part 1. The pump head. Inspection Manual , 2nd Edition (2012) , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2012) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump: "Open top cylinder" model. Installation Manual with notes on maintenance , Aquamo Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2011) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump (B Type). Installation Manual with notes on maintenance , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

MORGAN, P. (2010) The Zimbabwe Bush Pump Inspection of the “B” type Bush Pump Part 2. “Down the hole” components. Inspection Manual , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimba

MORGAN, P. (2010) A short history of the Zimbabwe Bush Pump. Water and Sanitation in Zimbabwe , Aquamor Pvt Ltd , Harare, Zimbabwe

Government of Zimbabwe (2004) Bush Pump Zimbabwe Standard Specification, Department of Water Resources and Development, Government if Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe - HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 2013 STANDARD (IN BOLD ABOVE)

ERPF, K. (1998) The Bush Pump - the national Standard Handpump of Zimbabwe. A review by SKAT/HTN to find out what had made this pump so popular in Zimbabwe. , Skat , RWSN (incl. HTN) , St Gallen, Switzerland


The Government of Zimbabwe, BUSH Pump Specification, SAZ 881:2013, Edition 2013