Construction, Development, and Testing of Water Wells

This chapter concentrates on the drilling, construction, development, and testing of high-capacity, large-diameter municipal water wells that are typical of those being drilled globally. It provides necessary information on practices and techniques for optimal well performance. The chapter focuses on the reverse rotary circulation drilling method, which is typically best suited for large-diameter, high-capacity municipal water-supply wells. It touches on drilling methods frequently used in other parts of the country for other uses, such as environmental drilling. The chapter describes hourly field water quality results, water level, and discharge rate during zone testing. It shows pumping test data for the step-drawdown test, constant-rate test, and recovery measurements. The chapter states that the data should be analyzed after the pumping test is completed and all information, including pretest trends, pumping and observation well time, discharge, and depth-to-water measurements, has been collected.