Restoring Rural Water Infrastructure in Liberia

WaterStep is implementing a program to inspect, repair, and sustain rural hand pumps across Liberia using trained local technicians and a digital inspection platform.

Watch How the Pump Works Get Involved

The Program

WaterStep and the Kijani Group are leading an initiative to inspect, repair, and sustain rural hand pumps across Liberia.

Many communities rely on hand pumps as their primary source of drinking water. When these systems fail, communities can lose access to safe water until repairs are completed.

This program introduces a structured system for inspecting pumps, repairing mechanical issues, and documenting infrastructure conditions.

The approach combines trained technicians, standardized inspection procedures, and digital reporting tools to support long-term water system sustainability.

Alongside pump repair, WaterStep provides practical education on safe water, hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention through local training and partnerships. Radio programming extends these trusted messages beyond individual communities, helping reinforce safe water practices across entire regions.

Partnership

This initiative is led by WaterStep in collaboration with partners working to strengthen Liberia’s rural water infrastructure.

Partners are supporting field implementation, data systems, and the development of sustainable models for long-term pump maintenance.

How the App works

Each pump inspection follows a standardized workflow that allows technicians to evaluate pump conditions, repair mechanical issues, and document infrastructure data.

The inspection process includes:

Community arrival and consent
Site condition assessment
Baseline photos and measurements
Pump disassembly and inspection
Repair and reassembly
Final testing and documentation

This process ensures that each inspection produces reliable infrastructure data while restoring functionality whenever possible.

Pump Repair Process

Hand pumps are designed to be serviceable using simple tools and trained technicians. During an inspection, technicians carefully disassemble the pump head, remove internal rods and components, inspect wear parts, and replace damaged elements as needed.