Compact ultrafiltration water purifier for off-grid communities
Villagepump 500
Turns surface water from ponds, lakes, rivers, shallow wells and rainwater tanks into drinking water that meets WHO microbiological standards — up to 500 litres per hour, with an automatic self-cleaning membrane.
- Up to 500 L/h
- Bacteria −log 6
- Viruses −log 4
- Manual · Grid · Solar
- Meets WHO microbiological standards
- NSF 61 certified membrane
- Tested by KIWA Water Research
- Designed & built in the Netherlands
Why communities choose the Villagepump 500
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Removes waterborne disease
Ultrafiltration physically blocks the bacteria, viruses, protozoa and cysts that cause cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery and hepatitis.
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Patented self-cleaning
Fouled filters are the weak point of most systems. Our patented valve system backwashes the membrane automatically, extending its life to several years.
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Low total cost of ownership
No consumables beyond optional carbon, minimal maintenance and a 5+ year expected life span make it the most cost-effective solution in its class.
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No plastic waste
Replaces bottled water at the source: no plastic, no oil, no diesel generator.
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Running in 20 minutes
Truly plug & play. Common sense, the manual and simple tools are all you need.
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Serves a whole village
About 2,000 litres of safe water a day — and up to 1,000 people in emergency situations.
Laboratory-proven purification
Removal rates tested by KIWA Water Research, the Dutch independent water-quality institute.
Bacteria tested with Bacillus spores, viruses with MS2 bacteriophages. Flow rate and capacity depend on incoming water conditions.
Treated water quality
- Total coliform / E. coli
- < 1 CFU/100 ml
- Total plate count
- < 100 CFU/ml
- Turbidity
- < 5 NTU
WHO · NSF 61 · KIWA
Choose your configuration
All three versions share the same housing, ultrafiltration membrane and automatic backwash. They differ in how water is drawn from the source.
Villagepump 500 — hand-powered
Operated with an ergonomic pump handle; no electricity or fuel needed at all. Includes periodic chlorine dispensing and a water meter. The proven choice for remote villages: hundreds of units are in daily use across the Indonesian archipelago.
- Flow
- Max. 8 L/min¹
- Power
- Manual — no electricity
- Suction head
- Max. 3 m
- Inlet hose
- Max. 10 m, 1-inch connection
- Weight
- 89 kg
Villagepump 500E — grid powered
A submersible feed pump delivers water to the purifier; users simply push a button. Choose feed pump A for light pollution and rainwater, or feed pump B for higher lifts and average pollution.
- Flow
- Up to 500 L/h
- Mains
- 230 V / 50 Hz or 110 V / 60 Hz
- Feed pump A
- Grundfos Unilift CC5-M1 · 400 L/h · 2 m head · 5 m hose
- Feed pump B
- Grundfos SB 3-25 M · 500 L/h · 7 m head · 10 m hose
- Power consumption
- 500 W (A) / 750 W (B)
- Weight
- 80 kg
Villagepump 500E — solar powered
A 24 V submersible pump runs directly from solar panels: zero running costs and no grid connection. Our first solar units supply around 4,000 people near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
- Flow
- 400+ L/h
- Supply
- 24 V DC — solar
- Solar array
- 400–500 Wp for 6–7 h/day²
- Feed pump
- Pentair Shurflo · 25 m head · 15 m hose · 0.5 mm pre-filter
- Power consumption
- 200–250 W
- Weight
- 80 kg
¹ Flow depends on incoming water conditions. ² Depending on weather conditions. Higher static head or longer hoses available on request.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Manual | Electric grid | Electric solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (h × w × d) | 1.73 × 0.50 × 0.62 m | 1.73 × 0.50 × 0.62 m | 1.73 × 0.50 × 0.62 m |
| Weight | 89 kg | 80 kg | 80 kg |
| Capacity | Max. 8 L/min | Up to 500 L/h | 400+ L/h |
| Power | Hand pump | 230 V/50 Hz or 110 V/60 Hz | 24 V DC solar |
| Power consumption | — | 500–750 W | 200–250 W |
| Max. lift / head | 3 m suction | 2–7 m (pump A/B) | 25 m |
| Inlet hose | Max. 10 m | 5–10 m | 15 m |
| Pre-filtration | 0.05 mm mesh | 0.05 mm mesh (+1 mm on pump B) | 0.05 mm mesh + 0.5 mm |
| Membrane | Capillary UF | Capillary UF, Pentair Aquaflex 4.5 | Capillary UF, Pentair Aquaflex 4.5 |
| Cleaning | Automatic backwash + periodic chlorine dosing | Automatic backwash, adjustable frequency | Automatic backwash, adjustable frequency |
| Max. raw water turbidity | 100 NTU | 500 NTU | 500 NTU |
| Ambient temperature | +1 to +45 °C | +1 to +40 °C | +1 to +40 °C |
| Feed water temperature | +1 to +40 °C | +1 to +30 °C | +1 to +30 °C |
All versions
- Bacteria / cyst removal
- > 99.9999% (log 6)
- Virus removal
- > 99.99% (log 4)
- Total coliform / E. coli
- < 1 CFU/100 ml
- Turbidity after treatment
- < 5 NTU
- Membrane approvals
- NSF 61 · KIWA
- Optional
- Activated carbon block 2.5 × 20" or 4.5 × 20" — reduces pesticides, endocrine disruptors, medical residues and some heavy metals; improves taste and colour
- Expected life span
- 5+ years
- Warranty
- 1 year (see data sheet for conditions)
Installation scenarios
The Villagepump stands on a simple level base next to the water source or storage tank. Purified water can be dispensed directly or into intermediate storage.
Surface water
Ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. The inlet hose reaches up to 10 m from the unit with a maximum lift of 3 m (manual version).
Rainwater & storage tanks
Connect to a rainwater-harvesting tank or any water storage system to purify on demand.
From delivery to drinking water
- Place the unit on a level base near the water source
- Connect the inlet hose and drain
- Connect power (electric versions only)
- Start pumping — safe water in about 20 minutes
Downloads
- Data sheet — Villagepump 500 (manual)PDF · 169 KB
- Data sheet — Villagepump 500E (grid)PDF · 420 KB
- Data sheet — Villagepump 500E (solar)PDF · 1.0 MB
- Operation manual — Villagepump 500PDF · 2.8 MB
- Operation manual — Villagepump 500EPDF · 2.8 MB
- Brochure (English)PDF · 579 KB
- Brochure (Spanish)PDF · 1.7 MB
- Brochure (French)PDF · 426 KB
Frequently asked questions
Which water sources can the Villagepump treat?
Fresh surface water such as ponds, lakes, streams and rivers, shallow wells, and rainwater or other storage tanks. Ultrafiltration does not remove salt, so the Villagepump is not suitable for seawater or brackish water.
Does it need electricity?
No. The manual version is operated with a hand pump. The electric versions run on grid power (230 V or 110 V) or directly from 24 V solar panels.
How many people can one unit serve?
A single unit typically supplies around 2,000 litres of safe drinking water per day, enough for a small village, school or health centre. In emergency situations it can supply up to 1,000 people.
What maintenance is required?
Very little. The automatic backwash keeps the membrane clean, so no special cleaning is required. The unit should be used regularly (at least once a week) and stored dry and frost-free. Our local partners provide service and spare parts.
Does it remove chemicals or heavy metals?
Ultrafiltration removes microbiological contamination and turbidity. The optional activated carbon cartridge additionally reduces pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds, medical residues and some heavy metals, and improves taste and colour.
How long does installation take?
About 20 minutes after the unit arrives on site. No special skills are needed: the manual and simple tools are enough.
How can I buy a Villagepump?
Through one of our local distribution partners or directly from Villagepump in the Netherlands. Send us a quote request and we will put you in touch with the right partner for your country.
Villagepump Water Kiosk
Need more capacity? The solar-powered Water Kiosk purifies up to 1,500 litres per hour with three taps and an integrated payment system.
Ask for preliminary informationPlanning a drinking water project?
Tell us about your community, water source and power situation. We’ll recommend the right configuration and connect you with our local partner.