ABSTRACT
Water pumping is essential world-wide for numerous purposes, including irrigation, stock watering, village water supplies and domestic use. An estimated 1.2 billion people do not have access to clean water (von Aichberger, 2003). However, the pumping of groundwater can be done sustainably only to the extent that the extraction rate equals the aquifer's replenishment rate. Otherwise, a lowered water table leads to dry wells, and ecological and social damage (Pearce, 2004). Harvesting rainwater can be a better option in many cases. A wide variety of power sources are used for pumping, depending on local conditions.
