text: * Airlift pumps are often used in deep dirty wells where sand would quickly abrade mechanical parts. (The compressor is on the surface and no mechanical parts are needed in the well). However airlift wells must be much deeper than the water table to allow for submergence. Air is generally pumped at least as deep under the water as the water is to be lifted. (If the water table is 50 ft below, the air should be pumped 100 feet deep). It is also sometimes used in part of the process on a wastewater treatment plant if a small head is required (typically around 1 foot head).
  * Airlifts are used to collect fauna samples from sediment. Airlifts can oversample zooplankton and meiofauna but undersample animals that exhibit an escape response.
  * In an aquarium an airlift pump is sometimes used to pump water to a filter.
  * In a coffee percolator the airlift principle is used to circulate the coffee.