Flexi-Pipe pump: Safe water for everyone is no more a dream!

In the famous poem 'Albatross,' poet Wordsworth has beautifully portrayed the plight of the humanity - that we have water around everywhere, but not good enough to drink. The famous lines are, "Water Water everywhere, but not a drop of water to drink". This is the actual scenario in many developing and developed countries of the world. There may be water bodies around, but water is contaminated and people do not have access to safe water. People around the world are trying to make stuff, which might help in cleaning contaminated water and make it potable; but mostly these equipments are very expensive and hence out of reach of those people who need them most.

Flexi-Pipe Pump

But now, a new flexi pump has been designed by a student, which can help in purifying water manually and is a low cost product. The name of the pump is Flexi-Pipe pump.

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Flexi-Pipe Pump

Design by David Hutton

The modus operandi of the pump is very simple. The pump works on the power of compressed air. Compressed air can be easily created by using something as simple as a bicycle pump. So when the water needs to be pumped out, the chamber of the pump is placed under water. Now, as one starts operating the bicycle pump, water simply comes out through the attached pipe.

The pump works on the principal of air shifting. When air is pumped into the chamber of the machine manually, it shifts water and forces it to surface up. The air is also then sucked out from the chamber, giving space for more water to enter in. Thus the user gets clean water.

The best thing about this innovation is that it is a low cost product and can be assembled with various indigenous things. It is lightweight and portable and is an easy maintenance item. It can also work for water storing in elevated tanks.

The maker deserves a pat on his back!!!

Via: James Dyson Award