Water pump

This water pump, known as a “hand pump”, allows water to rise from a well through suction. The pump can be placed inside the house or outdoors. It is convenient since it facilitates access to drinking water.

By moving the handle up and down, a suction effect, created by a piston, causes a pressure difference between the water levels in the pipe and inside the pump. The water is forced to rise and a valve prevents it from going back down.

In cities, where access to wells is limited, people rely on the services of water carriers or go to public fountains to get water. The water system begins to develop in the province of Quebec in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.