Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Class C Water License Exam

How is the drawdown of a water well determined?

1. By measuring the temperature

2. By the difference in static and pumping levels

3. Through water quality testing

4. By the duration of pumping

The correct answer is: By the difference in static and pumping levels

The drawdown of a water well is determined by analyzing the difference between the static water level and the pumping water level. Static water level refers to the height of water in the well when it is not being pumped, while the pumping water level is the location of the water surface in the well when it is actively being drawn from. The difference between these two levels represents how much the water level has decreased due to the removal of water from the aquifer, which is what is referred to as drawdown. Monitoring drawdown is critical for assessing a well's performance and sustainability. It helps to evaluate whether the well is being pumped at a rate that is sustainable over time, as excessive drawdown can lead to issues such as reduced water quality, increased costs of pumping, or even damage to the well. The other choices, while related to water wells, do not directly measure drawdown. Measuring temperature is more relevant to assessing water quality or detecting thermal effects in the water system. Water quality testing provides information on contaminants or minerals present but does not pertain to water level changes. The duration of pumping gives an idea of how long the well has been used but does not directly indicate the amount of drawdown that has occurred, which is specifically a function