Sustainable O&M Model for Manual Pumps in Mali – The UDUMA concept

The project aims at solving the problem of high non-functionality of manual pumps in rural areas. The project introduces a water services delivery model for manual pumps driven by a viable business case. A private operator – contracted by local government – will finance 40% of the project, will take care of rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of about 1,400 pumps and will ensure the functioning of the pumps for a period of 15 years, with a maximum downtime of 72 hours per incident. In return, the operator will be allowed to charge a water tariff, for which a new, user-friendly payment system will be implemented. All pumps will be converted to “E-pumps” equipped with a water meter and data logger to monitor water consumption. Households will pay according to volumes of water consumed. They will receive a better service than in the past, especially a much higher functionality will be assured, against an affordable tariff. The water services system will be based on a paid caretaker at each pump and a network of well-trained and equipped pump mechanics.