How can the performance of a well be evaluated?

Evaluating the performance of a well is crucial to understanding its efficiency and sustainability. Conducting aquifer testing and yield measurements is a comprehensive approach that provides essential data about the quantity of water a well can produce and the behavior of the surrounding aquifer. This method helps identify the maximum sustainable yield as well as how the well responds to pumping, including any potential declines in water levels and recovery times.

Aquifer testing typically involves pumping the well at a constant rate for a specific duration while monitoring water levels in the well and nearby observation wells. This data is analyzed to ascertain not just the well's yield but also the hydraulic properties of the aquifer, such as permeability and storage capacity.

Other methods, while useful in their own right, do not provide the same depth of information. A visual inspection may identify surface issues but does not assess the well’s performance. Checking the well depth alone offers limited insight into its functionality and does not reflect the operational characteristics of the well. Periodic water quality tests are important for ensuring safety and compliance with health standards, but they do not measure the well's performance or yield. Thus, aquifer testing and yield measurements represent the most effective means to thoroughly evaluate a well's performance.