Tube well

Versions of his tubewells were used during the British expedition to Abyssinia in 1868 to provide ground water for the advancing force.

The tube well casing houses the inlet, cylinder, piston valves and rising main of a "down-the-hole" type hand pump.

Casing to support the external surfaces of the borehole against collapse may be needed, either temporarily or permanently, and is often made of PVC pipe, which has the advantages of being both cheap and inert.

Water abstracted from aquifers in relatively soft ground usually contains sand or silt particles, which are liable to cause rapid wear to pump valves and cylinders (and dissatisfaction among consumers).

More compact, pre-bonded, packs of sand and/or gravel are available commercially; some of these can also form part of the pump inlet assembly.