roundabout in action roundabout in action the Sasko pump loveLife HIV / AIDS message Children's roundabout solves the water problem in remote areas. In remote areas the chore of fetching water usually falls to the women or children. A common sight in rural South Africa is that of water carriers covering large distances in order to fulfill their daily water requirements. Traditional sources of water collection are from dams, springs, rivers, streams and farm reservoirs, with the introduction of boreholes where these traditional sources of water are unavailable. Until now such boreholes have been operated by handpumps as the use of modern alternatives such as diesel, petrol or electric pumps are costly to install and have the concomitant constant financial burden of fuel and maintenance costs. A new patented South African invention simplifies the whole, exercise - the Play-Pump. Cavorting on a roundabout has always been fun for children. Now pure, clean borehole water can be pumped into water storage tanks while the playground roundabout equipment is in use. The Play-Pump is a specifically designed and patented playground roundabout that drives conventional borehole pumps, keeping costs and maintenance to an absolute minimum, while entertaining the children. How it works. The revolutionary pump design converts rotational movement to reciprocating linear movement by a driving mechanism consisting of only two working parts. This makes the pump highly effective, easy to operate and very economical. The Play-Pump is capable of producing 1400 litres per hour at 16 rpm from a depth of 40m, and is effective up to a depth of 100m. A typical hand pump installation cannot compete with this delivery rate, even with substantial effort. The Playpumps are specifically designed and patented roundabouts (1) that drive conventional borehole pumps (2), while entertaining children. The revolutionary pump design converts rotational movement to reciprocating linear movement by a driving mechanism consisting of only two working parts. This makes the pump highly effective, easy to operate and very economical by keeping costs and maintenance to an absolute minimum. The pump is capable of producing 1400 litres per hour at 16 rpm from a depth of 40 metres and is effective up to a depth of 100 metres. A typical hand pump installation cannot compete with this delivery rate, even with substantial effort. Playing on a roundabout or merry-go-round has always been fun for children, so there is never a shortage of 'volunteers'. As the children spin, water is pumped from underground (3) into a 2500 litre tank (4), standing seven metres above the ground. A simple tap provides easy access for the mothers and children drawing water (5). Four landscape billboards (6) screen the tank creating an advertising opportunity. Two sides are used for health messages and the other two sides are rented out as billboards for commercial messages. This advertising revenue ensures ongoing maintenance and sustainability of each project. Sustainability and maintenance The Play-Pump's storage tank is erected on a 7m high stand and is fitted with four 2m x 3m outdoor advertising signs, resulting in a unique advertising opportunity for the private sector. Revenue from this source pays for the ongoing maintenance and the sustainability of each installation. HIV / AIDS International organizations such as the Worldbank and the Kaiser Family Foundation (Washington DC) see the playpump as the ideal medium to inform rural populations on the dangers of HIV/AIDS infection. Consequently a large percentage of playpump installations automatically carry HIV/AIDS messaging. As a contractual obligation to our advertisers, Roundabout services the sites at regular intervals for general maintenance on the signage. Skilled pump maintenance crews will be included in these visits and local labour will be trained to take over the ongoing preventative maintenance and repairs from funds provided by Roundabout Outdoor. Progress so far To date OVER SIX HUNDRED installations have been completed, a large percentage of these installations are at primary schools. A partnership has been formed with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry; Minister Buyelwa Sonjica has been vocal in her support and encouragement for the continued installation of this system in rural Africa. Making it happen. We believe that the Play-Pump system, due to its practical, economic, ecological and social viability, is a progressive and creative way to provide free fresh drinking water to rural communities. With the Play-Pump we can make children happy, reduce the workload for women, make a visible step forward in rural water development, and slow down the spread of HIV/AIDS. We urge government departments, International Donor Agencies, NGO's and all stakeholders to motivate, and where appropriate, specify the installation of the Play-Pump at new and existing sites adjacent to schools, clinics and community centres, for the benefit of all concerned.