How does an Archimedes screw lift water?

An Archimedes screw lifts water by utilizing a helical surface enclosed within a cylinder or a helical tube wound around a central shaft. The device is typically inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal, with its lower end submerged in the water source.12

As the screw rotates, it traps a volume of water within the chambers formed by the helix and the surrounding casing. Because of the screw's rotation and its inclined orientation, this trapped water is progressively moved upward along the length of the pipe until it reaches the discharge point at the top.12

Modern versions of this technology, often referred to as screw pumps, utilize helices rotating within open inclined troughs. This design is particularly effective in wastewater treatment because the open configuration allows debris to pass through the system without causing clogs.1