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I’m a little out of date with recent handpump developments and so I’m willing to be corrected by others in this circulation but here is my brief response: The dug wells are shallow (approx 6m you state). India Mk II and III handpumps are deep well pumps unsuitable for shallow wells. The India handpumps rely upon the weight of the connecting rods to return the pump handle. In a shallow well there will not be sufficient connecting rods to provide enough weight to return the handle unless you add extra weight which is not easy and you want to avoid. There are alternative pumps that are cheaper and easier to maintain. Depending on precise dynamic water level (depth to water table when pumping) you will need a shallow or medium lift handpump. Any number are available but I’m not familiar with supply constraints and availability in Haiti. If you have time to obtain then I suggest you take a look on the SKAT website (www.skat.ch) and order the following: Technology Selection - and Buyer's Guide for Public Domain Handpumps for drinking Water by nrobson, 02.12.2005 “Water Lifting” in a Series of Manuals on drinking Water Supply, Vol. 7 by Erich Baumann from SKAT The Haitian government may well prefer the India Mark II or III pumps on deep wells but avoid for this application. There are a series of issues to consider – not just the technology – and so difficult to recommend alternatives without understanding the situation and the likely demand on the pumps: is it for small community use or for heavy daily use by a displaced population? If water quantity is an issue, rather than quality, then consider rubber buckets as an interim solution. Possible medium and shallow lift alternatives: Rope & Washer Pump used extensively in Nicaragua and available from: Managua, Nicaragua (e-mail: sdc-agua@ibw.com.ni) Direct action medium lift handpump, Maya-Yaku, used and produced in Bolivia Regards,

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