Now that the storm has passed, I'm thinking of alternatives to electricity pumping water into the house. Is anyone familiar with hand pumps as an alternative? Who sells them and how good are they for reliability?

Now that the storm has passed, I'm thinking of alternatives to electricity pumping water into the house. Is anyone familiar with hand pumps as an alternative? Who sells them and how good are they for reliability?

I hated pumping water for the cows and chickens with one of those things (pitcher pump is what we called them). But to answer your question, they require a separate pipe into the water source, (or a complicated valve system). You need some water handy (we had a 5 gallon bucket) to prime it. Reliability is fantastic, just some leather seals (probably rubber now) and an arm that doesn't get tired. It takes quite a few pumps to get 5 gallons! There is something nostalgic about hand pumping though!

How long would it take to pump out 5 gallons from a 300' + well?

How long would it take to pump out 5 gallons from a 300' + well?

Don't think they'll work on deep wells, limit is about 25 ft

Don't think they'll work on deep wells, limit is about 25 ft

Shallow wells are illegal nowadays aren't they?

OR

What they don't know won't hurt them?

Deep Well Hand Pump - A Great Way to Get Water From Your Well Without Electricity (http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com/deep-well-hand-pump.html)

How long would it take to pump out 5 gallons from a 300' + well?

As long as it's Manuel doing the pumping and not me who cares?