A HOME-SIZED WATERWHEEL

(Page 4 of 4)

September/October 1981
 
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By contrast, the little wheel has proved to be quite easy to care for. Once every few weeks, Barbara or Kerry will check the tension on the fan belt, clean any debris out of the screens at the top of the wheel's "power pipes", and—perhaps—lubricate the pump or bearings.

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The uncomplicated project was inexpensive as well: The entire assembly—excluding the lengths of plastic pipe—cost MOM's researchers less than $100. Other folks who would like to duplicate our efforts should be able to build an equally economical waterwheel ...if they can scrounge up a small shallow-well, double action pump. These little water-pushers used to be quite common (Myers and Everready were two popular brands), but the few new ones currently available are costly. (Sears, for instance, prices its 1/3-HP pump-with tank and motor—at more than $250!) Abandoned pumps can frequently be obtained at a local junkyard, though, which is where our staffers acquired their recycled gem ...for $20.

In short, MOM's water-pumping system is a reasonably priced, low-technology setup that could help anyone who has a source of usable "power" water, a supply of fresh drinking water, and the need to give that potable liquid a bit of an uphill boost. MOTH ER's home-scale waterwheel has too elementary a design to score high marks in mechanical efficiency, but its very simplicity is what makes it so easy to construct. And make no mistake about it, the water pumper does work ...Barbara Sullivan figures that enough water is now being fed to the" cistern to supply two households' needs easily.

But, you know, that recitation of practical virtues ignores one of the rolling water-pusher's best intangible assets ...the darned little thing's cute!

 

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