permaculture

332 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

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Presentation : Water pumps and water storage

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images, black/white board, markers

References : PC Book MOD 12 - Appropriate Technology

Objective : Participants learn about different appropriate water pumps and

water storage techniques

Collecting water is very hard work, especially if the water has to be carried up

hill. There are ways of pumping water from the ground or uphill from a river.

Motor pumps can be used but they:

• Are expensive to buy.


• Need petrol to operate.


• Need continual maintenance.

There are pumps that don’t need petrol and that are much easier to maintain.

Some of these pumps include:

• Ram pumps - Use water pressure created by gravity to move water a long way
  uphill to storage tanks. No engine is required.


• Foot pumps and treadle pumps - Can be used to pump water from a bore,
  well, spring, or river using a walking action to work the pump.


• Solar powered water pumps – Powered by small solar panels. Can be used
  to add oxygen to fishponds and ponds that clean water from houses.


• Windmills - Use the wind to pump up water from underground to use as house
  water or for irrigation.

Once the water is pumped it needs to be stored. Various methods include:

• Water tanks – Come in many different shapes and sizes, but all should be
  protected from sun and mosquitoes.


• Elevated water storage – When a water tank is elevated above the ground
  the water that flows from it through pipes, bamboo, or hoses can go a long way
  because of gravity (moving downwards).


• Ponds - Excellent water storage facilities that can be used (carefully) as an
  irrigation source.

For more detailed information and pictures see the “Water pumps” section of PC Book

MOD 12 - Appropriate Technology.