Velocities and Pumping Tests

As stated in section 2.10, the velocity by which groundwater flows is commonly calculated from the water table gradient and the coefficient of permeability (k, or the related parameter of transmissivity). The k value is determined by a pumping test. During such a test a studied well is intensively pumped and the water table is monitored in it as well as in available adjacent observation wells. The change in water table level as a function of the pumping rate serves to compute the aquifer permeability. 

Pumping tests call for expertise that is beyond the scope of this book, but as shown in the next section the incorporation of hydrochemical methods is essential for safe interpretation of pumping test data. 

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