Sometimes thios was water from a pond or stream although in most cases it was via a well often accessed by the means of a village pump.

Pumps are preserved in many villages today.

Early pumps had a wooden frame such as those at Tillingham village green and Bradwell on Sea.

Later pumps were made from cast iron as is the case with the Southminster pump which was built in 1832 by Richmons and Sons, Chelmsford.

Steeple's water pump was unusual in that although made from cast iron it had a wheel to pull the water rather than the usual handle.