PVC Hand Pumps is a short technical guide published by ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) that provides plans for building simple hand-operated water pumps using common PVC pipe and fittings. Designed as an appropriate-technology solution for rural and developing areas, the guide demonstrates how inexpensive, locally available materials can be used to construct functional water pumps for wells, ponds, cisterns, and other water sources.
The publication presents two proven pump designs. The first uses commercially manufactured PVC check valves, while the second uses a simple marble-based ball check valve system constructed from PVC fittings and a glass marble. Both designs operate on the same basic pumping principle and are intended to be durable, inexpensive, and easy to repair.
Most of the document consists of detailed engineering diagrams showing the dimensions, fittings, components, and assembly arrangements required to build each pump. The plans specify Schedule 40 PVC materials and include diagrams for the suction tubes, pump casings, check valves, seals, and outlet connections. The marble-based design is particularly useful in locations where manufactured check valves may be difficult to obtain.
For preparedness-minded readers, the guide offers a practical method of creating a low-cost, manually operated water pumping system that functions without electricity or fuel. The simplicity of the designs makes them attractive for homesteads, off-grid properties, emergency water systems, and long-term resilience planning.
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