Question

A deep well has a static water level of $122\mathrm{ft}$ bgs. A drawdown has been calculated out to be $65\mathrm{ft}$. What is the pumping level of the well?

Short answer

The pumping level is 57 ft bgs.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Given Information

Identify the static water level and the drawdown. The static water level is given as $$122\text{ ft}\text{ bgs}$$ and the drawdown is $$65\text{ ft}$$.

- Apply the Drawdown to the Static Water Level

To find the pumping level, subtract the drawdown from the static water level. The formula used is: $$\text{Pumping Level}=\text{Static Water Level}-\text{Drawdown}$$.

- Perform the Calculation

Substitute the given values into the formula: $$\text{Pumping Level}=122\text{ ft}-65\text{ ft}$$. Calculate the result: $$\text{Pumping Level}=57\text{ ft}\text{ bgs}$$.

Key concepts

static water level

The static water level is the natural level of the water in a well when it is undisturbed and no water is being pumped. Simply put, it's the water level in the well before you start pumping. This measurement is usually taken from the ground surface down to the water table and is expressed in feet below ground surface (bgs). Understanding the static water level is crucial because it serves as a baseline to determine changes when the well is in use.

drawdown

Drawdown refers to the decrease in the water level in a well when water is being pumped out. It's the difference between the static water level and the pumping level. The drawdown is a key indicator of how much water is being extracted and how quickly the water table is responding to pumping. To find the drawdown, you can subtract the pumping level from the static water level. It's expressed in the same units as the static water level, typically in feet bgs. This measure helps in understanding the well’s efficiency and its impact on the surrounding ground water.

pumping level

The pumping level is the water level in the well while it is being pumped. This level is always lower than the static water level due to the drawdown. The pumping level is essential for well management, helping to gauge the sustainability of the water supply and to ensure the well isn't over-pumped. To calculate the pumping level, you subtract the drawdown from the static water level. For example: Given a static water level of 122 feet bgs and a drawdown of 65 feet, the pumping level would be calculated as: .