What does the potentiometric surface represent?

The potentiometric surface represents the total head of groundwater in a confined aquifer. This concept is crucial in hydrogeology, particularly for understanding how groundwater behaves in confined aquifers. The potentiometric surface is an imaginary surface that indicates the level to which water would rise in a well that is drilled into a confined aquifer.

This surface reflects both the pressure and elevation head of the groundwater. In a confined aquifer, water is trapped between impermeable layers of rock or sediment, creating pressure. When a well is drilled into this aquifer, the groundwater will rise in the well to a level that indicates the pressure in the aquifer, revealing information about the hydraulic head.

Understanding the potentiometric surface is critical for managing groundwater resources, predicting how water moves through aquifers, and assessing the sustainability of groundwater supply for various uses. This concept is foundational for water well monitoring technicians and helps in evaluating the behavior of groundwater systems effectively.