This thesis focuses on the importance of creating a fully integrated point of use water filtration and purification system in Haiti, as my test audience, that will be focused on solving certain factors that are usually overlooked in the majority of designs created for the “other 90%.”



The intent of introducing a new technique for purifying water in the developing world is to make a healthier and easier method of collecting and cleaning water for human consumption when there is a chance of causing disease from the pathogens in the water source.



However, the currently implemented systems and products used for water filtration and purification in developing counties go unused or are abandoned once they break down; the local people go back to filtering water in less effective ways. THe reason for the lack of use of these "foreign" designed tools is because they are not accepted in the local community they were designed for. A lack of understanding of the socio-economic and environmental conditions creates a communication barrier between the designer and end user.

The final design for the LifePump consists of a standard deep well hand pump that is already used in developing countries. The pump can be built in less than an hour and costs around $4.00 when the parts are bought in bulk. The main purification filter is created from locally sourced clay and manufactured by local kilns.

The pump is a closed system. The water starts in the five gallon bucket as turbid and undrinkable. However, after it is pumped through the filter and into the attached PET water bottle it is purified and ready for consumption. A hose can also be attached to the end of the PVC pump and the water can be transferred to a separate, clean bucket.

Full Thesis: The LifePump