It happens that the communities of greatest need reside farthest from urbanization. WWFA has always desired to reach such peoples with clean water wells. We are after all concerned with having maximum impact. Therefore we address areas of greatest need, ie. rural communities. But in so doing an immediate question must be raised: what kind of technology implemented in a well will have the greatest impact?
One might easily assume that more technology means more water. A solar-power pump can draw more water than a hand pump. More water, more impact, more good. There are great advantages brought by sophisticated technology. Some pumps can serve 30,000 people and others only 250 people. In a rural context though such advances, as we have found, can actually hinder true development and long term impact.
Firstly, the villages WWFA travels to, often, can barely scrap a couple of dollars together. Expensive technologies are expensive to keep. It would be impossible for them to maintain a pump that requires thousands of dollars in upkeep. How would they manage repairs of greater value than the sum wealth possessed by the community?
Secondly, advanced pump systems require specialists only found in cities. Due to this absence of professionals present in rural communities, advanced pumps will necessitate dependence on a third party for maintenance. The danger in this for rural communities is great…
Lastly, sophisticated pump systems are best suited for areas where people are living condensedly. The demand for water for consumption in 1sq km in a town is perhaps 10x greater than 1sq km in a rural area. A water delivery system able to satisfy 30,000 people
By utilizing technology requiring less monetary upkeep a community can learn to take care of their well and pump without