Water well testing

FOLLOWING THE construction of a water well

it is desirable to test the well to determine the amount and from what pumping level the water will be produced.

One would quickly recognize that the selection of the most efficient pump for the well must be based upon known pumping rates and depths and to the contractor these measurements are most important.

But it is also for other reasons that we test wells.

The geologists and hydrologists are interested in the behavior of the ground water aquifer from which the water is drawn.

Engineers and water agencies are interested in the safe yield of the aquifer, how the well will affect other wells, the water quality and how efficient the newly constructed well is.

Everyone engaged in the ground water industry enjoys a common interest in the measurements obtained during the proper testing of a well.

The only significant difference between an aquifer evaluation study and a test "to find out what she will do" is the accuracy of the measurements taken and recorded.

In order to understand the procedures for testing a well we shall define the terms commonly used by the water well industry.