Once a well is built, the simplest and cheapest method to lift water is a bucket or a calabash tied to a rope. A windlass is a simple tool that makes pulling water from a well much easier. It’s a rotating shaft with a handle, allowing you to wind the rope or chain around it as you raise the bucket. This not only reduces the effort needed but also keeps the rope or chain neatly in place. If you later decide to install a pump on the well, the windlass can be easily removed.