On Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:58:48 -0700, Oren wrote:

On Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:44:29 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

Why not send some PVC and a pump?

One the surface, that would seem to be a smart idea.
But --- Do they have power for the pump? Do they have people
qualified to maintain the pump and possibly a generator? Fuel readily
available?

Solar powered pumps? Or a hand pump, but the water table must be deep
below the surface and a hand pump needs priming...
Hand pumps are the normal way of doing it - simple, robust hand
pumps that can be maintained, and even made, in the villages. Several
people in each village are usually trained to some extent in the
maintenance of the pump.

Anything complex is worse than nothing, because it breaks down - and
when it breaks down it cannot be readilly repaired - so there is no
water again..