handpump

A handpump is a manually operated device used to lift liquids, most commonly water, from wells, cisterns, or tanks. It typically consists of a cylinder containing a piston or diaphragm, a set of one-way valves, and a handle or lever. With each upstroke, the piston lowers the pressure in the cylinder, creating suction that draws water past the inlet valve. On the downstroke, the water is pushed through the outlet valve into a delivery pipe. The arrangement relies on atmospheric pressure and valve timing to move liquid.

Types of handpumps vary by mechanism. The most common are positive-displacement handpumps, including piston (plunger) and diaphragm models. Rope-pump variants use a rope with attached cups lowered into a well. Rotary hand pumps couple a hand crank to a gear arrangement to move water through pumping elements. Designs differ in depth suitability, priming requirements, and ease of operation, with some adapted for use in rural or low-resource settings.

Applications and limitations: Handpumps are widely used for household or community water supply in areas without electricity or other powered pumps. They are durable, relatively simple to repair, and do not require fuel or electricity. However, they have limited suction lift, typically up to about 9–10 meters for clean water, and may require priming. For deeper wells, electric or mechanical pumps are often preferred. Maintenance focuses on valves, seals, corrosion protection, and periodic priming.

History: Hand-operated pumps have ancient origins and were widely developed during the pre-modern and early modern periods. Over time, improvements in seals, materials, and valve design increased reliability and ease of use, contributing to the spread of manual pumping for domestic and community water supply before and alongside electrification.