Report on SW820: Ground Water Hydrology

Renel M. Alucilja
AE 820
Dr. Theody Sayco
Development of Ground Water
Resources
A common knowledge that
water is present under the
surface.
Need to know whether
the conditions of the
available water
underground permits its
economic withdrawal
through wells.
Occurence of Ground Water

Fresh water as
deep as 800 m
Oil wells can go
as deep as
12,000 m
Purpose of ground water exploration

Delineate the water

bearing formations
Estimate their hydrological
characteristics
Determine the quality of
water present in the
formation
Methods of ground water exploration

Remote Sensing
Surface Geophysical
Methods
Electrical Resistivity
Method
Seismic Refraction
Method
Well Logging Methods
Test Drilling
Remote Sensing

Aerial photography,
imaging (infra-red and
radar) and low frequency
electromagnetic
aerialmethods are included
in the remote sensing
methods of ground water
exploration.
Remote Sensing
Ground Water Level
Surface Geophysical Method

Surface geophysical methods reveal specific details of the

physical characteristics of the local subsurface
environment.
This information can be interpreted suitably for the purpose
of delineating the pre-glacial drainage pattern, mapping the
location and extent of buried permeable deposits, direct
exploration for ground water, and mapping of freshwater
and salt water contact
The electrical resistivity method and seismic refraction
method are the surface geophysical methods commonly
used for ground water exploration.
Surface Geophysical Method

Electrical Resistivity Method

The electrical resistivity of a rock depends on porosity, salinity of the fluid in the
pore spaces, straightness or tortuosity of the interconnected pore spaces,
presence of solid conductors, such as clays or metallic minerals, and
temperature.
In the electrical resistivity method, electrical current is injected into the ground
through two metal stakes (electrodes) and the resulting voltage between two
other metal stakes is measured.
The depth of measurement is decided by the distance and the arrangement
pattern of the four electrodes and the standard calibration curves.
The changes in the electrical resistance of different earth layers are thus
determined.
The electrical resistivity would vary with the salinity of the water included in the
pores of earth material.
Surface Geophysical Method
Surface Geophysical Method
Surface Geophysical Method
Surface Geophysical Method
Seismic Refraction Method

This geophysical method employs

seismic waves to determine
variations in the thickness of the
unconfined aquifer and the zone
where the most permeable strata
are likely to exist.
The method is based on the
velocity variation of artificially
generated seismic waves in the
ground. Seismic waves are
generated either by hammering on
a metal plate, or by dropping a
heavy ball, or by using explosives.
Seismic Refraction Method
Seismic Refraction Method
Well Logging Methods

Surface methods of ground water exploration do not give

exact quantitative information about the subsurface
environment.
Quantitative information about subsurface strata can only
be obtained by subsurface investigations which are
conducted by personnel working on the surface and the
equipment being lowered underground.
The equipment extending into the ground measures one of
several geophysical quantities, such as electrical resistivity,
self-potential, temperature, gamma rays, and so on.
Well Logging Methods
Well Logging Methods
Aquifer Tests

Commonly known as pump testing

Aquifer characteristics and its performance can be best
described by its hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, and
storativity.
These quantities can be determined by analysing the data
collected during aquifer tests or pumping tests.
Measurements during an aquifer test include water levels
at observation wells
Aquifer Tests

Aquifer pumping and slug tests are useful for providing

information on aquifer properties that influence
contaminant transport.
These parameters provide important information for
selecting and designing ground water cleanup remedies,
and are used as input to mathematical calculations or
computer models that are used to analyze ground water
flowand contaminant movement.
Guidelines for Preliminary Aquifer
Test
Establishment of Geologic Conditions
surface geology (including soil investigation(s)) of the
site and nearby areas, both locally and regionally,\
lithologic composition of the aquifer(s) and confining
bed(s) of interest,
lateral and/or vertical compositional changes of the
aquifer(s) and confining bed(s) of interest, and
thickness of the aquifer(s) and confining bed(s)of
interest.
Guidelines for Preliminary Aquifer
Test
Establishment of Hydrogeologic Conditions
Existence and nature of aquifer boundaries,
direction of ground water flow in the aquifer(s) of interest,
determination of the magnitude and direction of horizontal and
vertical hydraulic gradients,
existence of seasonal ground water fluctuations or any
regional water level trends or ground water use operations that
may influence the aquifer(s) and confining bed(s) of interest,
and
approximate estimates of the hydraulic properties for the
zones of interest.
DESIGN OF AQUIFER PUMPING
TESTS

Establishment of the Configuration and Logistics of the

Aquifer Test
Guidelines for the Pumping Well
Well Screen Length
Determination of Screen Slot and Filter Pack Size
Selection of the Pumping Rate
Pump Selection
Discharge and Disposal of Pumped Water
Guidelines for Observation Wells

Number of Observation
Wells
Distance of the
Observation Wells from the
Pumping Well
Design and Construction
of the Observation Wells
PERFORMANCE OF AQUIFER
PUMPING TESTS

Water Level Measurements Before Initiaion of the Aquifer Test

Water Level Measurements During the Aquifer Test
date and time the aquifer test began,
initial and final water levels for the pumping phase,
time since pumping started (in minutes),
measured depth to water,
drawdown, and
comments noting any "unusual" events (such as stopping of the
pump or changes in discharge rate, changing weather patterns, or
passage of a train or heavy machinery).
Consideration of Additional Influences
AQUIFER PUMPING TEST DATA
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

compilation of the data in the form of plots and tables,

correction of the data for any "external influences" ,
calculation of the hydraulic properties of the zone(s) of
interest,
evaluation of the assumptions and limitations of the
analytical methods, and
conceptualization of the hydrogeologic regime and its
relationship with the hazardous waste site.
AQUIFER PUMPING TEST DATA
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Guidelines for Compilation and Presentation of the Data

Consistency of Units of Measurement
Presentation of the Data
Presentation of the Data Analysis
Presentation of Hydraulic Property Calculation
Summary of Results
AQUIFER PUMPING TEST DATA
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Guidelines for Compilation and Presentation of the Data

Presentation of Hydraulic Property Calculation
should include
transmissivity (T), including Tearly, Tlate and Taverage
storage coefficient (S), including S, (specific yield) for
unconfined aquifers, S' for confing beds, and
(specific storage), and
hydraulic conductivity (K), including K' for
confingbeds
Aquifers and Wells
Confined Aquifer
Hydraulic Conductivity

Confined Aquifer Unconfined Aquifer

Hydraulic Conductivity

Un Confined Aquifer

If Q is negative for the pumping

well

Where r2 > r1
Storativity

Confined Aquifer storativity (s) is used in confined

acquifer, rather than the specific
yield in unconfine aquifer
Storativity or storage coefficient
is defined as the volume of
water an aquifer would release
from or take into storage per
unit surface area of the aquifer
for a unit change in head.
yield from an unconfined aquifer
is much greater than that from a
confined aquifer.
Example

A well pumps water at a rate of 2500 m3/day from a confined aquifer. Drawdown
measurements in an observation well 120 m from the pumping well are as follows:
Time Drawn Graph
DESIGN OF WATER WELLS

Main objectives of well design

To obtain the highest yield with a minimum drawdown
consistent with aquifer capability and well requirement,
To obtain good quality water with proper protection from
contamination,
To obtain sand-free water.
To ensure long life (3040 years) of well, and
To have reasonable installation, maintenance, and
operation costs.
DESIGN OF WATER WELLS

hydrogeologic information for making the design

Stratigraphic information concerning the aquifer and
overlying formations,
Transmissivity and storage coefficient of the aquifer,
The present and long-term water balance (i.e., inflow
and outflow) conditions in the aquifer,
Grain size analyses of unconsolidated aquifer materials
and identification of rocks and minerals, and
Water quality.
End of Presentation