| Water is unarguably the most vital commodity for | | | | pumps can still be found in rural areas. The water |
| a human being. The uses of water are endless | | | | drawn by these pumps is used for a variety of |
| and each has its own significance. From drinking | | | | purposes like irrigation, land and mine draining, |
| and washing to cooking and cleaning, water is an | | | | fountains, and sump and bilge pumping. |
| important component of all these activities. | | | | A water pump may be operated by several |
| The sources of water are numerous. In order to | | | | sources of energy. Today, the most common |
| extract the precious liquid and use it to its fullest, | | | | source is electricity, which helps pump water with |
| man devised pumps. Water pumps have been in | | | | the aid of an electric motor. Other common |
| existence for several centuries. Ever since | | | | sources of energy include solar energy, wind |
| Archimedes invented the screw pump to draw | | | | energy, gas energy and water energy. While solar |
| water, the use of these devices has grown in | | | | and wind based water pumps may not provide |
| leaps and bounds. In simple terms, a pump is a | | | | the same energy as an electric or gas powered |
| device used to move a liquid from one place to | | | | water pump, these devices come handy when |
| another with the help of air pressure. Water | | | | constant supervision is not possible. Moreover, |
| pumps are primarily used to draw water from | | | | since these run on renewable sources of energy, |
| rivers, lakes and ponds. The first water pumps | | | | the net operating costs are lower. |
| were the hand pumps, which were used to draw | | | | The price of a water pump depends on its power |
| water from an underground water table. Later, as | | | | and its energy source. Care should be taken to |
| technology advanced, more innovative pumps | | | | pick the right one to fit the task on hand. From |
| were developed which made the task less | | | | fancy fountains to irrigating our fields, water |
| cumbersome. However, hand-operated water | | | | pumps have made a lasting impact on our lives. |