Introduction to Tippy Taps
A tippy tap is a simple yet effective handwashing station designed for areas without running water. It’s a water-saving device that uses a suspended container to dispense water with a foot pedal. This guide will walk you through the steps to build your own tippy tap, ensuring you have a reliable way to wash your hands without wasting water.
Gathering Materials
Before you start building, gather the necessary materials. You’ll need:
– A plastic jug or bottle with a handle (at least 2 liters in size)
– Rope or string
– A stick or branch for the foot pedal
– A drill with a small drill bit
– Paint or cleaning supplies
– Gravel
– A hammer
– A saw (optional)
– A bucket or container for collecting water
– Soap or ash for hand washing
Choose a plastic jug that’s food-safe and free from strong chemical odors. Clean the jug thoroughly and remove any labels. If you want to make it more visually appealing, you can paint it.
Building the Tippy Tap
Step 1: Preparing the Container
Drill two holes in the plastic jug. First, drill a small hole near the top of the jug for water to flow out. This hole should be just large enough for a small stream of water to come out. Next, drill a second hole higher up on the back of the jug. This hole will allow air to enter the jug as water flows out, ensuring a steady stream.
Step 2: Setting Up the Support Structure
Find a sturdy tree branch or a crossbar to hang your jug from. Tie the rope around the handle of the jug and secure it to the branch or crossbar. To make it easy to remove the jug for refilling, use a stick through the handle with loops to secure the rope. This way, you can quickly take down the jug when you need to refill it.
Step 3: Creating the Foot Pedal
Tie a string to the base of the jug and attach it to a stick on the ground. When you step on the stick, it will tilt the jug and release water. Make sure the string is long enough to give you enough leverage to tilt the jug but not so long that it becomes tangled.
Step 4: Managing Runoff
Dig a small trench beneath the tippy tap and fill it with gravel. This will help manage the runoff and prevent the area from becoming muddy. The gravel will also help filter the water as it drains.
Final Touches
Hang a small container of soap near the tippy tap. You can use a small plastic bottle or a tin can with a string attached. If you don’t have soap, you can use ash as an alternative. Ash is a natural disinfectant and can be used to clean your hands effectively.
Conclusion
Building a tippy tap is a straightforward process that can provide you with a reliable handwashing station in areas without running water. By following these steps, you can create a device that is both practical and environmentally friendly. Remember to adjust the design as needed to ensure stability and proper water flow. With a little creativity and the right materials, you can have a functional tippy tap up and running in no time.
Summary
In this guide, you learned how to build a tippy tap, a simple handwashing station that saves water and is easy to maintain. By using common household items, you can create a reliable and eco-friendly solution for handwashing in areas without running water.