Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Sustainable Water Extraction and Distribution System for Agricultural Applications in Namawanga, Kenya
EPA Grant Number: SU833507Title: Sustainable Water Extraction and Distribution System for Agricultural Applications in Namawanga, Kenya
Investigators: Teel, Wayne , Wright, Colin , Fenzel, Matt
Institution: James Madison University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: April 30, 2006 through July 31, 2008
Project Amount: $5,996
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Our project addresses the need for a water pumping and irrigation system for a small village in the Namawanga Community of Western Kenya. There are two plots of land currently used for agricultural purposes that would see additional crop yield if an effective irrigation system were installed. One of the plots of land is within 15 feet of a sizable perennial stream and is used to grow banana trees. A second plot of land is approximately 100 yards from the same stream up a steep slope and is used to grow melons, maize, and tomatoes.
Our challenge is to design a pumping and irrigation system robust enough that the basic system design could be used for either plot of land (given changes in hose lengths and pump/storage capacities). In doing so, we should be able to increase their crop yield through better utilization of the current land, and by lengthening their potential growing season.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
In order to ensure that the pumps are successful when installed for the community, working prototypes were tested, analyzed, and modified. The chief concerns of our functional analysis were the flow rate of the pump, the stability/durability of the system, total pumping head, and ease of use. Furthermore, by comparing our design data to that of other pumps that are available in Kenya we can effectively benchmark our system and determine whether it would be an advantageous choice. We were able to build and test three systems: A bicycle pump, a treadle suction pump and a treadle pressure pump.
When primed, the Namawanga bicycle pump yielded a flow rate of 1.23 m3/hr when pumping at a distance of 1.52 m through standard 5/8 in. garden hose. We found that the elapsed time from when the pumping begins and when the water reaches the end of the piping is longer at greater delivery heads. At a delivery head of 0 m the time is only 7 seconds, whereas at 3.05 meters (10 feet) the time is 2:33 minutes for the water to begin flowing out of the pipe. Furthermore at delivery heads of 1.52 meters (5 feet) and at 0 meters, there is no change flow rate as noted by the linear equations. The system was very unstable and can only be operated on very level ground.
The first Treadle pump prototype (Namawanga Suction) performed exceptionally well at 4.32 m3/hr (71 l/m) when water was pumped vertical at 1 meter through 2 inch pipe. The pump was able to handle a suction head of 2.5 meters with little difficulty, however the pump manifold did lurch under the exceptional suction pressure. Namawanga 1 lacked the ability to pressurize an outlet, therefore no tests were performed on delivery head.
The second Treadle Pump prototype ( Namawanga Pressure) had an approximate flow rate of 1.02 m3/hr when the water was pumped approximately 0.75 meters vertically through 3 meters of standard 5/8 in. garden hose. It also had little difficulty pumping vertically from a source 3 meters below to a delivery 3 meters above, yielding a 6m total tested pumping head.
Conclusions:
From the outset, we did not seek to completely reinvent water pumps. Rather, we knew we would be drawing on previous designs and trying to add a novel touch. Between the two project members, the faculty advisor, and LOTI, we drew from many disciplines including energy systems, environmental engineering, Kenyan dendrology, and third-world humanitarianism. Our small team was uniquely qualified for this particular endeavor, and all contributed greatly to its success. In addition to keeping the project team small, we were able to keep our budget small as well – using only what materials we needed and communicating remotely as much as possible. We were very cognizant from the beginning that it would be unsustainable and counter-productive to spend more value making the pump than would be added to the community by having the pump.
Building each prototype was infinitely educational, and has contributed greatly to our overall understanding of the unique design challenges associated with building a water pump. Unfortunately, due to a heated political climate, we have not been able to travel to Kenya yet to implement our final design (our current plan is to travel there in July, 2008) so we cannot say that we have achieved success just yet. Also, due to geographical and professional constraints, it has been difficult to coordinate meetings where we are able to continue building and performing long-term testing on different systems. Once the kinks in the final system are fixed, we can then build the system on site and measure its longevity and effectiveness.
The project will be successful if the community sees greater crop yield, improved quality of life, and greater awareness of sustainable community practices. We are replacing their current system of directly porting water in buckets, so we can potentially save community members much time and labor.
The pumps were constructed to incorporate various aspects of sustainable and appropriate technologies. Considerations of the end-users, the accessibility of resources and the community impact were constant throughout all phases. Our system is one that can improve the quality of life for a community, but also empowers the community to be able to carry on the same mission even when we are not present. The scientific and technical simplicity of the systems can be discussed and taught to the local community before implementation, who can then do with the technology what they like – even building more pumps for themselves and surrounding villages.
Proposed Phase II Objectives and Strategies:
The challenge definition in the Phase II aspect of “Sustainable Water Extraction and Distrubution System for Agricultural Applications in Namawanga Community, Kenya” will be modified to develop an effective approach to expanding implementation of the system into other communities with inadequate water access under the umbrella of Least of These International. Each community will be evaluated individually by the P3 Team to determine if any modifications of design, sustainability strategy, and social implications need to be considered before installation.
The Phase I results of the Namawanga Community will allow the P3 Team to evaluate the life-cycle analysis of the system to again make any modifications before further implementation. By evaluating and comparing the Namawanga system to future project installments, the team will be able to see social impacts (both communal and downstream), economic benefits, crop yields, and any other issues that can be resolved before installment.
Supplemental Keywords:
Treadle Pumps, Rotary Pumps, Drip Irrigation, Namawanga, Kenya, FAO, LOTI, Check Valves, Suction/Pressure Head,Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.