CCAFS Latin AmericaInternational Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)Km. 17 Recta Cali-Palmira. Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Hydraulic water pump optimizesthe water extraction process

Low availability of water for irrigation and consumption, particularly in the four months of low rainfall.

Climate challenge

Practice description

Development of a pumping mechanism driven by muscular power, for extraction of water from shallow wells or cisterns, avoiding the use of external energy sources. Although decreased rainfalls during dry periods, it is possible to access and have water throughout the year, and can be used for human consumption, domestic and agricultural use, and storage. It is a low cost system, which does not deplete the water flow from their origin and does not pollute, besides, the mechanism demands minimal maintenance. In addition, it reduces the daily effort of women and children in charge of extracting water from wells by other methods and reduces the risk of accidents derived from this process.

The practice contributes to adaptation and food security given that together with the harvested water, this prac-tice ensures the supply of water for domestic requirements and irrigation of the home garden. The practice also contributes to mitigation given that water is used more efficiently.

Implementation and results

Contribution to CSA pillars

In a context of climate variability, how water use from underground sources can become more efficient, even in dryer periods?

Research question

The pumping capacity withoutdepleting the source is 200 L /day(6m3/mo) in the rainy season, and100 L/day (3m3/mo) in the dry season.

Along with the water storedthrough the water harvesting system,allows to have water for thehome garden and domestic uses.

The system costs $ 380,000 (USD 126),without including the cost of the well.When the well is included the cost is$ 1-2 million (USD 334-667),depending on the depth of the well.

The vulnerability analysis prioritizedthe need to optimize the processof water extractionfrom underground sources.

H20

The average historical level and flowof the well and the daily extractioncapacity was also established,

to meet the minimum requirementsof domestic use and consumption,while keeping the water availability.

70% of the water extracted is usedin the house and 30% in agriculture.Use for human consumption onlywhen there is no water fromthe aqueduct.

Other families also prioritized thispractice, but delayed when the aqueductstarted providing water to their farms.