Hippo water roller
The Hippo water roller, or Hippo roller, is a device for carrying water more easily and efficiently than traditional methods, particularly in the developing world. It consists of a barrel-shaped container which holds the water and can roll along the ground, and a handle attached to the axis of the barrel.
The drum is made from UV stabilized polyethylene and is designed to cope with the rough surfaces found in rural areas. It has a large opening (135 mm / 5.3 inch diameter) for easy filling and cleaning. The steel handle allows the roller to be pushed or pulled over difficult terrain.
It is claimed that approximately five times the normal amount of water be collected in less time with far less effort than by the usual method of carrying.
Claimed benefits include:
- time savings (fetching water can be very time consuming in some poor rural environments),
- reduced effort,
- reduced strain (carrying heavy weights on the head every day for years puts strain on the body, particularly the vertebral column)[1]
- increased water availability, with benefits for health and perhaps even enabling vegetables to be grown,
- hygienic storage due to the sealed lid on the roller.
Its simple nature makes it an example of appropriate technology.