Handpumps are used primarily in developing nations as a manually powered means of bringing water to the surface from a borehole or well. The main types are the India Mark II, the India Mark III, and the Afridev deep-well (30 - 40 m deep) pumps.

Village level operation and maintenance (VLOM) refers to low maintenance handpumps which can be maintained at a village level, intended to provide reliable long-term service.

Thousands of handpumps have been installed in developing countries of the last two decades, especially in India, Bangladesh, and Sub-Sahara Africa.

See also

• Arsenic contamination of groundwater

Tropical agriculture | Appropriate technology