The compatibility of a hand pump with a well depends on the type of well. A drilled well, which is created by drilling a hole into the ground until it reaches the water table, is typically deeper than a dug well, which is manually excavated. A hand pump can be installed on both types of wells, but the installation process may differ. For instance, a deep well pump may be required for a drilled well due to its depth, while a suction pump may be sufficient for a shallow dug well. The compatibility also depends on the well casing measurements and the pump rod assembly required for the installation process. It is crucial to read the manual and consider professional installation or help from a knowledgeable friend to avoid future maintenance issues.