What is meant by "well interference"?

"Well interference" refers to the reduction in water availability that occurs when nearby wells are extracting water. This phenomenon happens because each well in a particular aquifer can affect the others due to the shared water resources underground. When one well pumps water from the aquifer, it can lower the water table or create a cone of depression, which in turn affects the water levels and availability for surrounding wells. As a result, those neighboring wells may face diminished water supply because they are competing for the same water source, leading to a decrease in the overall availability of water.

In the context of well monitoring, understanding well interference is crucial for assessing the impact of water withdrawals on overall water availability, ensuring sustainable management of groundwater resources, and planning for potential conflicts between different water users in an area.