Why is this called a worldwide pump? Why is it patented instead of free? Why cannot anyone acquire the blueprints so that it is truly international? If this is so desperately needed worldwide, why is it only in South Africa? What about kids in darfur and other areas where fresh clean water is desperately needed? If it is so great, let's make it an international pump.

Walt - PlayPumps have been installed in Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland, as well as South Africa. And the NGO that installs them is trying to raise money for further installations. As for the patent/free distinction, that's capitalism for you -- how else are we supposed to address issues like clean water? Clearly, government-only solutions haven't worked. Of course, the WHO or UNICEF could purchase and install PlayPumps through a public-private partnership. That might be a better route. Anyone else have ideas here?

Rob/Walt: Just my two cents. Our emphasis should be on the entire PlayPump program/project model rather than simply the design and deployment of the apparatus. The equipment deisgn, cost, transport and installation is always the easiest part of any humanitarian project. It is the focus that PlayPumps has put on the long-term financial and operational sustainability that we should be applauding with greater fervor. These aspects are what so many organizations can't get right. The applause should be given not at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but 5-10 years later when the aquifer levels are sustained, the equipment is in good working order, improved health/social impacts are realized and not another penny has had to go into the project. That is what happens consistently with PlayPumps and that is why they are successful.

Rob: Thanks for your comment. I'm curious as to how PlayPumps monitors the effectiveness and longevity of their installations. Do you have a source for that type of data? Many BOP and development projects alike suffer from the difficulty of measuring social, environmental, and even financial impact. If PlayPump has a good model for this, I think the NextBillion community would love to hear about it. Thanks again.

Rob. You are absolutely correct when you mention that many NGOs and ODAs are not well-versed or programmed for adequate M&E. PlayPumps (and others) are building it in from the beginning not only for their own internal "audits" but also for marketing/justification purposes. I would argue that the next major wave of activity in this area of measuring impact will stem (is already in fact) from the grants/projects being undertaken by the Gates Foundation. They are systematically changing the way humanitarian projects are undertaken and evaluated. And that is a good thing, of course. If you are a potential grantee, which is basically everyone, be prepared to make this a significan activity within your organization. As for your specific question on PlayPumps, I'm hoping Kathleen from PlayPumps can provide the official answer....stay tuned.

Hi Rob and Rob, Thank you for your interest in the PlayPump water system. We are encouraged by the great exchange of ideas posted here. PlayPumps International and its installation partner, Roundabout Outdoor, share your concerns. Regarding effectiveness and longevity, all PlayPump water system are installed with a minimum guarantee of 10 years of maintenance. We are working with a university to design a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to quantitatively measure the impact of a PlayPump system a community. We are looking forward to sharing the results with donors and other interested groups. thanks, Kathleen

Arrived in Kinshasa in August, I am appalled by the lack of water available to the majority of the population of the DRC. This exchange of letters on the patent is very interesting, but leaves little hope for anything to happen here for a long time. Would Roundabout be willing to let others market this life-transforming invention under a franchise or other royalty-paying formula that protects its rights?

great program, and I'm sure that they're doing their best to effectively spread it to areas that need it. Check out this interview I found with Mr. Fields, the founder, about the program, it's pretty informative.