In the late 1970s, University of Waterloo professors Alan Plumtree and Alfred Rudin were approached by the International Development Research Centre with a problem. IDRC was trying to help deliver clean water to villages in developing countries, but modern water pumps were not ideal.
Taking inspiration from their Mennonite neighbours, Plumtree and Rudin made a pump that was both simple and versatile. Their innovative thinking has helped people all over the world secure a source of clean drinking water.
