Wind aeration pumps - alternate uses

I've seen some very nice windmills out there that are used to pump air into ponds. I was recently examining a dismantled one at a farm auction and as I turned the spindle with my hand, I was turning it in the reverse direction and found it was drawing rather than blowing. Of course this made sense and then it got me to thinking that it was essentially a pump and wondered if it could be used to pump water rather than push air.

Anyone have knowledge of this?