The Pitcher Pump

 

The pitcher pump has been an old standby for many decades.  Before the advent of electric pumps, it was to be found on almost all farms and in homes as the way of lifting water from a cistern or dug well.  The pitcher pump allowed for the water system to be fully enclosed thereby protecting it from being entered by rodents or other vermin.  While it was and still is useful for shallow wells it is limited to lifting water no more than 28 feet – for practical purposes the limit is more like 20 to 25 feet with the difficulty of pumping increasing as the location of the pump above the surface of the water supply increases.

 

In the picture above the pitcher pump was located in the basement and drew water from a cistern.

 

Photo taken 2005

 

Provided by Dorothy Bayes

 

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