Poster on Hydraulic water pump optimizes the water extraction process: climate challenge, research question, practice description, technical aspects, implementation, results and contribution to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) pillars. Author: CCAFS Latin America. Please credit accordingly.

1. CCAFS Latin America
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Km. 17 Recta Cali-Palmira. Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Hydraulic water pump optimizes
the 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 without
depleting the source is 200 L /day
(6m3
/mo) in the rainy season, and
100 L/day (3m3
/mo) in the dry season.
Along with the water stored
through the water harvesting system,
allows to have water for the
home 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 prioritized
the need to optimize the process
of water extraction
from underground sources.
H2
0
The average historical level and flow
of the well and the daily extraction
capacity was also established,
to meet the minimum requirements
of domestic use and consumption,
while keeping the water availability.
70% of the water extracted is used
in the house and 30% in agriculture.
Use for human consumption only
when there is no water from
the aqueduct.
Other families also prioritized this
practice, but delayed when the aqueduct
started providing water to their farms.