ABSTRACT
The best design for a public water point may depend upon traditional methods of carrying water. Springs occur where groundwater is forced to the surface. Where they exist and have a reliable flow, they can make ideal sources of water for a community water supply. The water emerging at a spring has generally been forced to the surface by an impervious layer of soil or rock; a layer through which water cannot pass. The simplest method of raising water is a bucket of some kind on the end of a rope. Wind power may also be used for raising water, with the advantage that wind is free. However, a windmill is necessary to harness wind power, and windmills are usually rather expensive. When designing storage tanks for village water supplies, it is often tempting to use familiar materials such as reinforced concrete or steel sheet, as these are easier to make reliably watertight.
