It just needs to be replaced.
You could limp along for quite some time if you only go slow and constantly make sure there is enough coolant in the engine. But you risk loosing the engine and that would cost several thousand $ and a new water pump job should cost less then $200. Simple math.
In an emergency you can juse water as a coolant but this will freeze at low temps and will cause rust and corrosion in the engine and cooling system.
And consider that coolant is toxic, not something you want to get spilled around living things.
Best to let the car sit till you can get this fixed.
You could limp along for quite some time if you only go slow and constantly make sure there is enough coolant in the engine. But you risk loosing the engine and that would cost several thousand $ and a new water pump job should cost less then $200. Simple math.
In an emergency you can juse water as a coolant but this will freeze at low temps and will cause rust and corrosion in the engine and cooling system.
And consider that coolant is toxic, not something you want to get spilled around living things.
Best to let the car sit till you can get this fixed.
