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PuPu Pump

Scaling WASH Enterprise and Innovation

Global Sanitation Challenge

The majority of the world's population uses onsite sanitation systems like pit latrines and septic tanks. These systems require emptying when full, but many households lack access to proper emptying services due to high costs or unsafe standards.

The Innovation

Since 2021, Opero and Practica Foundation have collaborated to test and commercialize the Pupu Pump – a revolutionary mobile pit emptying technology. The technology has been successfully tested with Gasia Poa, a waste management enterprise in Kisumu, Kenya.

Specialized Design

Developed specifically for emptying where traditional exhausters cannot reach, using innovative Push + Pull technology.

High Efficiency

Can pump 3000L in 20-30 minutes with the ability to reach up to 70m distance to storage tanks.

Safety Focus

Minimizes operator exposure to faecal sludge and prevents environmental contamination through proper waste containment.

System Components

Pumping Unit

Pumping Unit

Advanced pumping mechanism with small compressor and reservoir system.

Compressor Unit

Compressor Unit

The compressor unit has a heavy duty petrol twin piston engine that drives it through a belt mechanism

Transport Unit

Transport Unit

The pump works with various tank sizes for flexible transport.

Through the test done with Ghasia Poa as service providers, they have been able to move from manual emptying methods to a more professional service enabling them to:

  • Decrease the emptying time and cost for service provision, allowing them to target more customers (40,000+ customers served to date).
  • Increase the profitability of the enterprise, leading to an increase in job opportunities.
  • Increase the safety of pit latrine emptying processes (no longer a manual process), improving work conditions.
  • Increase the legitimacy of pit latrine emptying service provision, making it an appealing opportunity for youth and women.

Impact Metrics

40,000+

Customers Served

70m

Maximum Pumping Distance

3000L

Capacity per 30 mins

Benefits Through Testing

  • Decreased emptying time and cost for service provision
  • Increased profitability leading to more job opportunities
  • Enhanced safety through elimination of manual processes
  • Greater legitimacy making it appealing for youth & women

Next Steps for 2024

  • Establish sustainable supply chain through distributorship model
  • Sell 15 units to expand market presence
  • Develop and sell on-site sanitation training packages
  • Showcase technology at our hub for customer decision-making

The PuPu Pump Digest

Your Weekly Industry Insights

Shifting Gears: Embracing Technology in Pit Latrine Emptying

Greetings Reader,Urban Africa is dominated by onsite sanitation, more specifically, pit latrines.While expanding sewer coverage to meet demand is the aspiration of many cities; the realityis that sewer coverage is decreasing over time due to the rapid population growth,challenges with access to water, and complications of expanding infrastructure in alreadyestablished settlements.
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Shifting Gears: Portable and Ready for Any Terrain

Welcome to the third edition of the PuPu Pump newsletter! Having introduced the pump in our first edition and covered its innovative water and air injection features in the second, we’re excited to now spotlight the PuPu Pump’s portability and  transport  adaptability,  two  critical  features  that  make  it  an  efficient  and  flexible solution for diverse […]
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