Various published sources are collated to present a description of 12 technologies used for pumping irrigation water. The pump technologies are grouped under three categories: (1) human powered (simple hand, pendulum, rower, diaphragm, bellows, and chain/bucket pumps, the Archimedean screw, and the water ladder); (2) animal powered (the Persian wheel); and (3) those powered by other energy sources (wind, solar power, and biogas). An introductory section notes that human powered pumps are the easiest to build, although they last a relatively short time, must be located directly above the water source, and are of limited pumping capacity; use of leg power somewhat increases their capacity. Some human powered pumps can be modified to use animal power. The Persian wheel can be constructed of local materials and has a fairly long lifetime, although it too must be located directly above the water source. Pumps operated by solar power, wind, or biogas consist of a separate pumping unit attached to a power generator. These pumps have a long lifetime and, except for the biogas digester, a low maintenance requirement. They also have a high initial cost and require a preliminary assessment of feasibility and appropriate type of system.