In confined aquifers, the influence of neighboring active wells is often neglected when interpreting a pumping test. This can, however, lead to an erroneous interpretation of the pumping test data. This paper presents simple methods to evaluate the transmissivity (T) and storativity (S) of a confined aquifer under Theis conditions, when an interfering well starts pumping in the neighborhood of the tested well before the beginning of the test. These new methods yield better estimates of the T and especially S values than when the interfering well influence is neglected. They also permit to distinguish between interfering wells and other deviations from the Cooper-Jacob straight line, such as impermeable boundaries. The new methods were then applied on data obtained from a numerical model. The new methods require knowing the pumping rate of the interfering well and the time elapsed since the pumping started in each well, but contrary to previous methods, they do not require the aquifer natural level at the beginning of the test, which is often unknown if the interfering well has started pumping before the tested well.

No abstract

No abstract

In confined aquifers the influence of neighboring active wells is often neglected when interpreting a pumping test. This can, however, lead to an erroneous interpretation of the pumping test data. This article presents simple methods to evaluate the transmissivity tensor and storativity of an anisotropic confined aquifer when there is an interfering well in the neighborhood of the tested well. Two methods have been developed depending on whether the tested well or the interfering well is the first in operation. These new methods yield better estimates of the hydraulic parameters than when the influence of the interfering well is neglected. These methods have then been used on data obtained from numerical models with an interfering well and the results have been compared to an analytical method that neglects the influence of the interfering well. The methods require knowledge of the pumping rate of the interfering well and the time elapsed since the pumping started in each well. If the interfering well started pumping before the tested well, the method does not require knowledge of the aquifer piezometric level at the beginning of the test, which is often unknown in this case. As for the method without interference, at least three monitoring wells (MWs) are needed, the position of which influences the accuracy of the estimated parameters. Some recommendations concerning MWs position have been given to get more accurate results according to the sought parameter.

In sedimentation tests, the equivalent diameter of particles, D, is calculated using an equation derived from Stokes’ law and a factor K interpolated from a table listing values of suspension temperature and the specific gravity of solids. This paper explains how to start with Stokes’ law and obtain the equation used in standards. Then it provides two equations for K, both of which are accurate for the usual temperature range for hydrometer tests, and for any specific gravity. The two equations can be used in spreadsheets to automatically calculate D, an easier process than obtaining or interpolating K from a table.