Yield of Bore Wells
Bore wells have been constructed in large number in recent years mainly as a source
of drinking water supply in rural areas. These are of 6.5 to 7.00 inches in diameter and 60 to
200 m in depth drilled by down-the-hole hammer rigs. The yield of such wells usually varies from
3
15 to 45 m /hour but in exceptional cases very high yields have also been reported. Wells drilled
on lineaments are reported to have high yield.
Pumping Test Data Analysis
The method to be applied for analysis of pumping test data depends upon the type and na-
ture of aquifer. A list of main methods is given below
Table 3: List of main Pumping Test Analysis Methods
Confined Aquifer Steady State Thiem Method
Unsteady State Thies Method
Jacob Straight Line Method
Thies Recovery Method
(Can also be used for Leaky & Unconfined
aquifers)
Leaky (Semi-Confined)Steady State De Glee Method
Aquifer Hantush Jacob Method
Unsteady State Hantush - 1955 (Walton) Method
Hantush Inflection Point Method
Hantush - 1960 Method
Unconfined Aquifer Steady State ThiemDupuit Method
Unsteady State Boultons Method
Neuman Method
Thies Method (For early & late curve
segments)
Confined Aquifer
A confined aquifer is overlain and underlain by a confining layer (aquiclude). The water in a
confined aquifer is generally at a pressure higher than that of atmosphere. Therefore, the water
level or piezometric head in confined aquifer is above the top of aquifer. Sometimes, the water level
may rise above the land surface. In that case the wells tapping such aquifer are free flowing or arte-
sian.
The assumptions and conditions for pumping test data analysis for confined aquifers are
given below
the aquifer is confined,
the well fully penetrates the aquifer,
there is a radial flow,
the aquifer is homogeneous and isotropic,
the system prior to pumping is under steady state,
the density and viscosity of water is constant,
the pumping well is of infinitesimal diameter and 100% efficient
the flow is horizontal and Darcy's law valid,
the water level or the potentiometric surface is initially horizontal and changes due to pumping
of well, and
the aquifer is horizontal, infinite in horizontal extent.
Steady State Flow
Thiem’s Method
The transmissivity of the aquifer in case of the steady state flow in a confined aquifer can be
estimated by Thiem’s Method. This method can be applied only after a steady state is achieved, i.e.,
there is no more drawdown even if pumping is continued. Though true steady state cannot be
achieved in case of a confined aquifer, therefore, a situation where change in water level with re-
spect to time is negligible is considered as a steady state. For this method, at least two and ideally 3
to 4 observation wells are required. The equation given by Thiem (1906) for this method is
2 π KD ( sm 1 −s m 2 )
Q=
ln(r 2 /r 1 )
Where Q is well discharge (m 3/day), KD is transmissivity (m2/day), r1& r2 are distance to observation
wells (m), sm1and sm2 are respective steady state drawdowns.
The above equation can be rewritten as
Q
KD= ln(r 2 /r 1 )
2 π ( s m1 −sm 2 )
Procedure
a. The steady state drawdown for constant discharge is measured in two or more wells.
b. Transmissivity is computed with above the formula
c. In case the data is available for several observation wells, drawdown (s) is plotted against
distance (r) on semi log paper and sm2-sm1 is calculated as slope of straight line fitted
Unsteady State Flow
Theis Method
Theis (1935) developed a formula for unsteady-state flow, which takes in to account the
time factor and storativity. He showed that the drawdown in the well during unsteady state pumping
in confined aquifer can be given as:
∞
Q e− y dy Q
s= ∫
4 π KD u y
=
4 π KD
W (u )
The function W(u) is known as well-function or Wenzel Function and can be mathematically
expressed as:
u2 u3
W (u )=−0. 5772−ln(u)+u− + −. .. . .
2 x 2! 3 x 3 !
where u is defined as
r2S
u=
4 KDt
Where s is drawdown (m) in a well at a distance r (m), S is Storativity (dimensionless) and t is
time since pumping started (days). From above equations it is seen that, if “s” can be measured for
one or more values of “r” and for several values of “t”, the values of “S” and “KD” can be deter-
mined. The presence of the two unknowns and the nature of the exponential integral make it impos -
sible to affect an explicit solution.
Theis developed a ‘curve-fitting method’ determine Sand KD by rearranging the above equations as
log (s )= log
[ Q
4 π KD ]
+log [ W (u ) ]
Log (r2/t) = {log (4KD/S)} +log (u)
r2
log = log
t [
4 KD
S
+log(u) ]
Since Q/4πKD and 4KD/S are constant, the relation between log s and log (r 2/t) must be like
the relation between log W(u) and log (u).
Procedure
The unsteady state drawdown for constant discharge is measured in two or more wells.
On log-log papers
1/u vs W(u) plotted (Standard Curves)
s vs t/r2 plotted on another paper
Two curves superimposed and adjusted to find “Match Point” for one of the curves.
Values for s, t, W(u) and 1/u found for the Match Point
The aquifer parameters estimated with the formulae
Q 4 KDtu
KD= W (u ) S= 2
4 πs and r
In this method the parameters are estimated for all the observation wells/piezometers. For
separate estimation of each OW, same method is used by plotting s vs t. Theis type curve is shown
below.
Figure 11.1: Theis Type Curve
Cooper-Jacob Straight Line Method
Cooper and Jacob (1946) developed a simplified straight-line method based on the Theis
Equation. He showed that for small values or “r” and large values of “t” the value or “u” would be
quite small. For small values of “u” (u<0.01) the Theis equation:
Q
s= W (u)
4 π KD ,
u2 u3
W (u )=−0. 5772−ln(u)+u− + −. .. . .
Where 2 x 2! 3 x 3 !
Q r2 S
s= (−0. 5772−ln )
can be modified as 4 π KD 4 KDt
Taking the decimal log and rearranging this equation gives
2. 30 Q 2 .25 KDt
s= log
4 π KD r2 S
Since Q, KD, and S are constant, a plot of drawdown “s” versus the logarithm of “t” forms a
straight line for smaller values of “r” and larger values of “t”. If this line is extended until it intercepts
the time-axis where s=0 the interception point has the coordinates s=0 and t=t 0. Substituting these
values above equation gives.
2. 30 Q 2 .25 KDt 0
0= log
4 π KD r2S
2 .30 Q 2. 25 KDt 0 2. 25 KDt 0
≠0 log =0 =1
since 4 π KD , r 2
S and r 2
S
2 .25 KDt 0
S=
therefore, r2 . The slope of the straight line, i.e., drawdown difference s per log cy-
2. 30 Q
KD= ≠0
cle of time is 2.30Q/4πKD. Therefore, 4 πΔs
Procedure
The drawdown vs time in observation well is plotted on a semi log paper
The drawdown is plotted on linear scale and the time on logarithmic scale.
A straight line is fitted through the data points.
If the plotted points do not fall on a straight line, it implies that the “u” is not small enough
and this method is not applicable.
Usually the point fall on a straight line for late “t’ values and straight line can be fitted for
these points for application of this method.
After fitting a straight line, the slope of drawdown s per log cycle is determined.
Then Transmissivity (KD) is determined by
2. 30 Q
KD=
4 πΔs
The straight line fitted is extended till it cuts the graph where drawdown “s” is zero.
At this point the value of time “t” is “t 0”. Using this value, the Storativity (S) is determined
using equation.
2 .25 KDt 0
S=
r2
Cooper-Jacob method can also be used as distance - drawdown method.
Fig.1: Cooper-Jacob Method
Recovery Tests
Theis Recovery Method
According to Theis (1935), the residual drawdown after a pumping test with a constant dis-
charge is
Q
s'= ( W (u)−W (u ' ))
4 π KD
Where
r2S r2S'
u= u '=
4 KDt and 4 KDt '
When u and u’ are sufficiently small (< 0.01), the above equation can be approximated by
s '=
Q
4 π KD ( 4 KDt 4 KDt '
ln 2 −ln 2
r S r S' )
Wheres’= residual drawdown in m, r= distance in m from well to piezometer, KD = transmis-
sivity of the aquifer in m2/d, S’= storativity during recovery (dimensionless), S= storativity during
pumping, dimensionless, t= time in days since the start of pumping, t’= time in days since the cessa -
tion of pumping, Q= rate of recharge, m3/d. Where S and S’ are constant and equal and KD is con-
stant the above equation can also be written as
2. 30 Q t
s'= log
4 π KD t '
A plot of s’ versus t/t’ on semi-log paper (t/t’ on logarithmic scale) will yield a straight line.
The slope of the line is
2. 30 Q 2. 30 Q
Δs '= KD=
4 π KD or 4 πΔs ' , where s' is the residual drawdown difference per log cycle
of t/t’.
The Theis recovery method is applicable if the following assumptions and conditions are met. The as-
sumptions listed above, adjusted for recovery tests. The additional assumptions are
The flow to the well is in an unsteady state,
u < 0.01, i.e. pumping time t, > (25 r2S)/KD, and
u’ < 0.01, i.e. t’ > (25 r2S)/KD.
Procedure
For each observed value of s ‘, calculate the corresponding value of t/t’;
For one of the piezometers, plot s‘Vs t/t’ on semi-log paper (t/t’ on the log scale)
Fit a straight line through the plotted points;
Determine the slope of the straight line, i.e. the residual drawdown difference s’
Substitute the known values of Q and s’ into above equation and calculate KD.
The Theis Recovery method can also be used in case of confined, leaky and unconfined
aquifers. It is also suitable for single (pumping) well.
Fig.2: Theis Recovery Method Leaky Aquifer
RDD Vs t/t'
0.0
5.0
10.0
RDD (m)
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
1 10 100
t/t'