Back in the olden days when the only way to get potable water is through a well dug deep, everyone has to walk out the house (or even the tent), walk a far distance while carrying an earthen pot and get water through a pail that is let down and with a rope it will be pulled up after feeling that it has filled with water. After a few attempts and the pot is full, it will be carried back home so everyone can have something to drink when it is needed. How about when water is needed for bathing? Good thing today amt pumps can make the load much lighter.