Pumping Tests | Groundwater Engineering

Pumping Tests

Pumping tests can be an important part of the investigations for dewatering and other construction projects. Supported by other types of groundwater investigations and groundwater monitoring they can provide valuable information for the planning and design of construction projects.

A pumping test involves pumping from a test well at a controlled rate and monitoring the flow rate from the well and the drawdown in an array of observation wells at varying radial distances from the test well. Analysis of data from a correctly executed pumping test can be one of the most reliable methods of determining the mass permeability of water-bearing soils. This is because the volume of soil through which flow of water is induced by a pumping test is significantly greater than in the cases of small-scale tests in individual boreholes and observation wells.

Pumping tests and groundwater investigations can be carried out for different purposes:

• To obtain permeability values for groundwater control and geotechnical design purposes
• To investigate water quality on potentially contaminated sites and as part of groundwater remediation schemes
• To assess the performance of new water supply wells
• To assess the need for, and results of water well rehabilitation
• To investigate the potential for open loop geothermal systems

Groundwater Engineering’s team has decades of experience in all types of pumping tests and other groundwater investigations. We can develop bespoke testing programmes to meet your needs and carry out a complete design, installation and testing service.

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