1.

0 Well Drawdown

Drawdown is the drop in the level of water in a well when water is being pumped. Drawdown
is usually measured in feet or meters. One of the most important reasons for measuring
drawdown is to make sure that the source is adequate and not being depleted. The data collected
to calculate drawdown can predict the supply is slowly declining. Early detection of this can
give researcher time to explore alternative sources, establish conservation measures or obtain
any special funding that might need to get a new water source.

Drawdown measurements gives important information about the performance and efficiency
of wells. Drawdown data can be combine with well yield to evaluate the efficiency and
performance of a well. Drawdown measurements can also help to detect some other problems
in their early stages. For example, accurate drawdown measurements can be used with well
yield data to detect the plugging of a well screen by encrustation or if a pump needs adjustment.
Another reason for taking drawdown measurements is the law in any state may require them.
Some regulatory agencies ask for routine drawdown tests as well as other quality checks such
as tests for pH and alkalinity levels. Be sure to check the regulations in an area.

Accurate drawdown measurements depend on finding the distance from the surface to the water
level in a well.

1.1 Key Terms for Well Drawdown

Static level

Accurate drawdown measurements depend on finding the distance from the surface to the water
level in a well.

Pumping level

Pumping level is the level of water in the well during pumping. This, too, is usually expressed
as the distance in feet or meters from the ground surface to the water level.
Drawdown

Drawdown is the drop in level of water in a well when water ibeing pumped. Drawdown
measurements record the difference (in feet or meters) between the static level and the pumping
level.

Well yield

Well yield is the volume of water per unit of time that is produced from the well by pumping.
Usually, well yield is measured in terms of gallons per minute (gpm) or gallons per hour (gph).
Sometimes, large flows are measured in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Specific capacity

Specific capacity is expressed as the well yield per unit of drawdown. For example, if the well
yield is 100 gpm and the drawdown is 10 ft, the specific capacity of the well is 10 gpm per feet
of drawdown.

1.2 Method for Measuring Depth to Water

To find the drawdown of a well, the important things is the distance from the surface to the
water level in the well. One of the measurement methods, including the electric sounder.

1.2.1 Acoustic well sounder

An acoustic well sounder uses sound waves to measure the depth to water level. This device
operates by bouncing sound waves off the surface of the water. Advantages of the acoustic well
sounder are that it is easy to operate, gives you instant data and cannot contaminate the well
(that is, no measuring devices touch the water and there are no probes or wires to hang up).
 Figure 1 Acoustic well sounders use sound waves to measure depth.

1.2.2 The Electric Sounder Method

The electric sounder method (sometimes called the electrictape method) is an accurate method
of determining the depth to water level. It is often used in tests where turbulence may interfere
with other measurement methods (such as the air line method reviewed later in this chapter).

A basic electric sounder consists of:

An electrode
A dry-cell battery
A pair of insulated wires marked at regular intervals (usually every 5 ft) Weights
A milliampere meter (or some other device to show the flow of current such as a bell
or light.)

One end of the pair of insulated wires is connected to a drycell battery and a milliampere meter.
The other end is attached to an electrode. The electrode contains the exposed ends of the wires
separated by an air gap.

Operating an electric sounder

An electric sounder works by lowering the electrode into water. When the electrode contacts
water, a circuit is completed and the current flow registers on a light, bell or meter.
Using an electric sounder to measure depth to water

Slowly lower the electrode into the well until the milliampere meter detects a steady current.
Lower the line another ten feet to see if the milliampere meter continues to register. If it doesn't,
or if it fluctuates, the electrode may not have reached the water level. (Something else, such as
cascading water from the well screen, may be interfering). If the milliampere meter does not
fluctuate after you have lowered it another ten feet, pull the wire back to the first point where
the current registered. This is the water level.

To find the depth to water:

Hold the place on the wire where you first detected the current. You can use a
clothespin, tape or the nail on your index finger.
Pull the wire out of the well until you see a regular marker on the wire.
Record the reading on the marker.
Measure the distance from the marker to the place you are holding on the wire.
Add this measurement to the reading on the marker to find the depth to water.
 Figure 2

1.3 Calculations for well drawdown

First step: Find the static level

Manually turn off the pump. Make sure you understand the operation of the pump controls.
Also, be sure that manual operation will not harm or unreasonably interfere with normal
functions. Attach a tag to the switch with the time, date and reason the pump was turned off.
(This tells others about the test and helps to remind you to turn the pump back on when you
are finished.)

When the well has fully recovered, measure the depth to water. This is the static level.

Getting access to the recovery

Getting access to the well to take drawdown measurements is sometimes difficult. Ideally, you
can gain access to your wells through a pipe intended for measurements that is welded into the
side of the casing. If, for example, your well has a sanitary seal and you are unsure how to
proceed, contact the professional water association in your area for help.
Well recovery

The recovery time of a well is the time required for the aquifer to stabilize at the static water
level once pumping has stopped. The rate of your well's recovery determines how long you
should wait before finding the static level. For some wells, 30 minutes is long enough. For
others you must wait much longer.

Step 2: Find the pumping level.

Turn on the pump. Again, be sure you understand the control and that you are sure no harm to
the pump or system will occur. Tag the, switch with the time, date and reason the pump is on.
Allow it to pump until the well reaches a constant pumping rate or yield.

Measure the depth to water at regular intervals until the water level stops dropping. This is the
pumping level.

Reset the pump control to the original setting and remove the tag.

Step 3: Calculate the drawdown

Calculate the drawdown by subtracting the static level from the pumping level.

Warning: Be sure to monitor the pumping during drawdown tests. Make sure that
excessive pumping does not harm your storage or distribution system.

1.4 Recording and Using Well Drawdown Data

Make sure you have a file set up for each well in your system. This file should contain such
information as:

Operating records
Maintenance records
Initial design plans
Construction records
Well acceptance test
Pump data
Well abandonment records
2.0 Determination of pH

pH is the measure of effective hydrogen-ion concentration, or the negative logarithm of

the hydrogen-ion activity concentration in moles per liter. In aqueous solutions, pH is
controlled by reactions that produce or consume hydrogen including practically all
dissociations of acids, bases, and hydrolysis (Wood, 1976). It is strongly influenced by the
temperature of the groundwater. The primary control of pH in most potable groundwater is the
carbonate system including gaseous and dissolved carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonate
ions. Other dissolved gases, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, and hydrolyzable metal
ions can also affect the pH of the solution. Most natural ground waters have pH of 4 to 9.
Groundwater affected by industrial or mining activities may range from 2 to 12.

The epoxy-type electrode is better suited to field use than the older glass-type electrode.
Avoid placing any equipment to be used in the pH measurement from coming into contact with
soil particles or any foreign material that might contaminate the readings.
This procedure is for pH meters equipped with a combination electrode, thermistor,
thermocompensator (ATC), and autolock. If using pH meters without such options, consult the
instrument manual for the correct procedure. pH is extremely temperature sensitive, and meters
may not always read the exact value of the standardizing solutions or buffers.

2.1 Requirement Equipment

1. pH meter and electrode

2. pH buffer solutions 4,7, and 10; 500ml each
3. Clean plastic manifold, source connections, and hose
4. Thermistor
5. Deionized water
6. Plastic wash bottle for deionized water
7. Box of kimwipes or equivalent tissue paper
8. Plastic beakers or cups
2.2 Procedure

1. Connect plastic hose to well and connect the manifold to the hose. Turn water
on so that the manifold fills and a gentle stream of water comes out the overflow.
2. Inspect the pH electrode and fill with new solution if needed.
3. Remove electrode from protective boot, rinse with deionized water, and blot
dry with tissue paper. Remove thermistor from case, rinse with deionized water, and
blot dry.
4. Connect pH electrode and thermistor to the pH meter. Turn the meter on and push
the CLR button to clear any previous calibrations.
5. Immerse the pH electrode and thermistor into the 7 buffer solution. Buffers may be
immersed in a container of well discharge water to allow them to stabilize to well
temperature, thus obtaining a more accurate calibration. Gently stir the electrode,
taking care to keep the bulb immersed while not hitting the sides of the beaker or
bottle. Push the STD button on the meter. A flashing display indicates that the meter
is computing the pH. When the display stops flashing, a pH reading near 7 should be
displayed, along with the temperature.
6. Remove the electrode and thermistor from the 7 buffer solution, rinse with deionized
water, and blot dry.
7. Immerse the pH electrode and thermistor onto the 10 buffer solution. Gently stir the
electrode as in step 5. Push the STD button on the meter. The display will again flash
until the meter computes the value of the second standard. When the display stops
flashing, a pH reading near 10 should be displayed, along with the temperature.
8. Remove the electrode and thermistor from the 10 buffer solution, rinse with
deionized water, and blot dry.
9. Place the pH electrode and thermistor in the manifold and push the pH button
on the meter. After one minute push the AUTO button. When the display stops
flashing, record the time, pH, and temperature.
10. Repeat step 9 at five-minute intervals until the pH stabilizes (+0.1 units). While
waiting for the well to stabilize, set up conductivity meter.
11. After well stabilizes, remove the pH electrode and the thermistor from the manifold,
rinse with deionized water, and blot dry. Disconnect the electrode, place it in the
ring stand clamp (preparatory to the alkalinity titration), and lower into beaker of
water to keep the bulb wet. Keep the thermistor ready for further use to measure Eh.
 Because the pH is extremely temperature-sensitive, all pH meters should be calibrated at
least once a day before sampling. If extreme weather conditions are encountered in the field
(i.e., an increase or decrease of 120 C or 250 C or more in ambient air temperature from the
time of calibration), the pH meter should be recalibrated. The filling and storage solution
required for the pH electrode is 4M KCl saturated with AgCl. A supply of this solution must
be on hand while on a water-quality monitoring field trip.