13 Using Software to Analyze Hydraulic Test Data with a Pumping Well
This section describes the use of software to analyze pumping‑test data using analytical models, manual curve matching (as described in previous Sections), and automated‑analysis methods. It focuses on three commercially available software packages, AQTESOLV (aqtesolv.com↗), AquiferTest V12 (waterloohydrogeologic.com↗), and Aquiferwin32 Version 6 (groundwatermodels.com↗). Each allows the user to select from a dozen or more analytical models (i.e., equations).
These software packages use graphical user interfaces that produce computer‑generated plots and type curves and apply sophisticated numerical methods to automate the analysis of hydraulic‑testing data. In addition to standard conditions (e.g., confined, leaky confined and unconfined) these programs often incorporate analyses of the effects of partial penetration, anisotropic conditions, the presence of significant well‑bore storage, effects of variable pumping rates, and the analysis of constant‑head tests, as well as the response of fractured and dual‑porosity systems to pumping (e.g., Moench, 1984). The programs also include methods to determine pumping‑well efficiency, aquifer properties from single‑pumping‑well tests and step‑drawdown tests. Some of the programs have predictive modeling capabilities that given hydraulic properties and conditions generate a head distribution resulting from pumping at a specified rate and schedule.
This section is intended to broadly describe the function and capabilities of the three most widely used commercially available software programs, but not include specifics on the operation of each program. Some additional detail regarding individual tools is provided in referenced boxes. The extensive documentation included with the individual software packages provide information on features that are not discussed here.
Each software system includes a demonstration or trial version that can be accessed without cost to explore program features. In addition to these commercially available tools, programs developed by researchers that include numerical methods or spreadsheets are often described in the groundwater literature. Some options for freeware that can be used to analyze pumping‑test data are listed here.
- PyTheis‑A python tool for analyzing pump test data, doi.org/10.3390/w13162180↗ (Chang et al., 2021)
- Wells‑A multi‑well, variable‑rate, pumping‑test analysis tool from Los Alamos National Laboratory in the USA, https://wells.lanl.gov/↗, (originally developed at the University of Mining and Geology, Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1992 by Velimir V. Vesselinov)
- Spreadsheets for the Analysis of Aquifer‑Test and Slug‑Test Data, https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/ofr02197/spreadsheets.html↗ (Halford & Kuniansky, 2002)
- Simple Procedures for Analysis of Slug Tests in Formations of High Hydraulic Conductivity using Spreadsheet and Scientific Graphics Software kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/Publications/OFR00_40/↗ (Butler & Garnett, 2000)
- Automated Estimation of Aquifer Parameters from Arbitrary‑Rate Pumping Tests in Python and MATLAB that can solve for aquifer-parameter using values from multiple wells https://ngwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gwat.13338↗ (Benson, 2023)
- DISOLV: A Python package for the interpretation of borehole dilution tests https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/527089/1/Collins_et_al-2020-Groundwater.pdf↗ (Collins & Bianchi, 2020)
A literature search may provide other applicable non‑commercial tools that can be used to assess specific conditions.