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for the
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Designation: D5472/D5472M − 14

Standard Test Method for

Determining Specific Capacity and Estimating
Transmissivity at the Control Well1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5472/D5472M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis

1.1 This test describes a procedure for conducting a specific methods for engineering design.
capacity test, computing the specific capacity of a control well, 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and estimating the transmissivity in the vicinity of the control standard. Rationalized inch-pound units also are used in this
well. Specific capacity is the well yield per unit drawdown at standard. Each system of units is to be regarded separately as
an identified time after pumping started. standard.
1.2 This test method is used in conjunction with Test 1.8 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
Method D4050 for conducting withdrawal and injection well operations, and equipment. This standard does not address
tests. safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility
1.3 The method of determining transmissivity from specific of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
capacity is a variation of the nonequilibrium method of Theis health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
(1)2 for determining transmissivity and storage coefficient of an limitations prior to use.
aquifer. The Theis nonequilibrium method is given in Test 2. Referenced Documents
Method D4106.
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
1.4 Limitations—The limitations of the technique for deter- D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
mining transmissivity are primarily related to the correspon- Fluids
dence between the field situation and the simplifying assump- D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
tions of the Theis method. (Visual-Manual Procedure)
1.5 The scope of this test method is limited by the capabili- D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
ties of the apparatus. Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Used in Engineering Design and Construction
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in D4050 Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
Practice D6026. and Injection Well Testing for Determining Hydraulic
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ Properties of Aquifer Systems
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the D4106 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce- leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for Method
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider- D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to Data
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to com- 3. Terminology
mensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of
3.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard, refer
to Terminology D653.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and 3.2 Symbols and Dimensions:
Vadose Zone Investigations. 3.2.1 K—hydraulic conductivity [LT−1]
Current edition approved June 15, 2014. Published August 2014. Originally
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5472–93(2005),
3
which was withdrawn February 2014 and reinstated in June 2014. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
D5472_D5472M-14. contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.
 D5472/D5472M − 14
3.2.2 m—saturated thickness [L] 5.2.3 The values of transmissivity estimated from specific
3.2.3 Q—discharge [L3T−1] capacity data are considered less accurate than values obtained
from analysis of drawdowns that are observed some distance
3.2.4 Q/s—specific capacity [(L3T−1)L−1]
from the pumped well.
3.2.5 r—well radius [L]
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
3.2.6 s—drawdown [L] dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
3.2.7 S—storage coefficient [dimensionless] suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
3.2.8 T—transmissivity [L2T−1] and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
3.2.9 T'—provisional value of transmissivity [L2T−1] cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
3.2.10 t—elapsed time of pumping [T] provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
3.2.11 u—r 2S/4Tt [dimensionless] 5.3 Withdrawal well test field procedures are used with
3.2.12 W(u)—well function of “u” [dimensionless] appropriate analytical procedures in appropriate hydrogeologi-
3.2.13 c1—[W(u)/4π] cal sites to determine transmissivity and storage coefficient of
aquifers and hydraulic conductivity of confining beds.
4. Summary of Test Method
6. Apparatus
4.1 A control well is equipped with an accumulated water
meter or other well yield measuring device and the static water 6.1 Various types of equipment can be used to withdraw or
level determined after conditioning. inject water into the control well, measure withdrawal and
injection rates, and measure water levels. The test procedure
4.2 After a conditioning pumpdown, the well is pumped
may be conducted with different types of equipment to achieve
continuously and measurements collected. Determination of
similar results. The objectives to be achieved by the use of the
the specific capacity and an estimate of the transmissivity of
equipment are given in this section and in Sections 7 and 8. The
the well is then calculated.
selection of equipment and measuring apparatus will be
5. Significance and Use evaluated to ensure that sufficient accuracy and sensitivity will
be provided for the later evaluation of data by Test Method
5.1 Assumptions of the Theis (1) equation affect specific D4106.
capacity and transmissivity estimated from specific capacity.
These assumptions are given below: 6.2 Control Well—Discharge or injection well test methods
5.1.1 Aquifer is homogeneous and isotropic. require that water be withdrawn from or injected into a single
5.1.2 Aquifer is horizontal, of uniform thickness, and infi- well. This well, known as the control well, must be drilled and
nite in areal extent. completed such that it transmits water to or from the aquifer
5.1.3 Aquifer is confined by impermeable strata on its upper (usually the entire thickness of the aquifer) at rates such that a
and lower boundaries. measurable water level change will occur at observation wells.
5.1.4 Density gradient in the flowing fluid must be negli- The control well should be as efficient as possible, to reduce the
gible and the viscous resistance to flow must obey Darcy’s head loss between the aquifer and the well. Well development
Law. should be as complete as possible to eliminate additional
5.1.5 Control well penetrates and receives water equally production of sand or silt and consequent changes in well
from the entire thickness of the aquifer. efficiency and pumping water levels during the test. The
5.1.6 Control well has an infinitesimal diameter. cuttings from the control well should be described and re-
5.1.7 Control well discharges at a constant rate. corded according to Practice D2488. The analytical method
5.1.8 Control well operates at 100 percent efficiency. selected for analysis of the data may specify certain dimensions
5.1.9 Aquifer remains saturated throughout the duration of of the control well such as screen length and depth of screen
pumping. placement. Specific requirements for control wells may be
given in standards for specific analytical methods (see, for
5.2 Implications of Assumptions and Limitations of Method. example, Test Method D4106).
5.2.1 The simplifying assumptions necessary for solution of
the Theis equation and application of the method are never 6.3 Observation Wells or Piezometers—Numbers of obser-
fully met in a field test situation. The satisfactory use of the vation wells and their distance from the control well and their
method may depend upon the application of one or more screened interval may be dependent upon the test method to be
empirical correction factors being applied to the field data. employed. Refer to the analytical test method to be used for
5.2.2 Generally the values of transmissivity derived from specifications of observation wells (see, for example, Test
specific capacity vary from those values determined from Method D4106).
aquifer tests utilizing observation wells. These differences may 6.4 Control Well Pump—A pump capable of withdrawal of
reflect 1) that specific-capacity represents the response of a a constant or predetermined variable rate of water from the
small part of the aquifer near the well and may be greatly control well. The pump and motor should be adequately sized
influenced by conditions near the well such as a gravel pack or for the designed pumping rate and lift. The pump or motor
graded material resulting from well development, and 2) must be equipped with a control mechanism to adjust discharge
effects of well efficiency and partial penetration. rate. In the case of diesel-, gasoline-, or natural-gas-fueled
 D5472/D5472M − 14
engines, throttle settings should allow for small adjustments in 7.1.2 Provide the control well with a system for maintaining
pumping rates. Pumps equipped with electric motors are a constant discharge.
usually controlled by adjusting back pressure on the pump 7.1.3 Equip control well for measuring the pretest water
through a gate valve in the discharge line. Take care to select level (prepumping water level) and pumping water levels
a discharge rate small enough such that the rate can be during the specific capacity test.
maintained throughout the test without fully opening the gate 7.1.4 Measure static water level immediately before starting
valve. If neither method of control is practical, split the the pump.
discharge and route part of the discharge back to the well 7.1.5 Start pump and simultaneously measure elapsed time
through a separate discharge line. If water is withdrawn, the with a stop watch or data recorder. After 3 to 5 minutes well
discharge should be at a distance sufficiently away from the yield and drawdown should be measured and recorded.
area to prevent recharging back into the aquifer being tested. 7.1.6 If all the equipment is working properly, drawdown
6.5 Many aquifer tests are made at “sites of opportunity,” measurements can be obtained, and constant discharge
that is, using existing production wells as the control well and maintained, the equipment check can be ended.
using other existing wells for observation of water level. In 7.1.7 Cease pumping and allow the water level to recover to
such cases the locations and screened intervals of the wells its prepumping level before the specific capacity test procedure
should be compatible with the requirements of the method of is initiated.
test analysis. 8. Test Procedure
6.6 Water-Level Measurement Equipment—Manual mea- 8.1 Initiate well discharge.
surements can be made with a steel tape or electric tape, with
a mechanical recorder linked to a float, or combination of 8.2 Measure the well yield and pumping water level in the
pressure transducer and electronic data logger. control well at predetermined time intervals, for example, 2-,
6.6.1 Mechanical Recorders—Mechanical recorders employ 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, minutes after discharge is initiated. Adjust the
a float in the well to produce a graphic record of water level discharge rate during the test to maintain discharge within 5 %
changes. Early in the test, it may be difficult to distinguish of the rate planned. Discharge waters should be at a distance
small increments of time on the recorder chart, therefore the sufficiently away from the area to prevent recharging back into
recorder should be supplemented with additional early time the aquifer being tested.
measurements or by marking the trace of an automatic water- 8.3 While test continues make the following calculations:
level recorder chart and recording the time by the mark. Check 8.3.1 Adjust drawdown for effects of desaturation of the
the mechanical recorder periodically throughout the test using aquifer, if applicable (see Section 9).
the steel tape. 8.3.2 Determine the specific capacity (see Section 11) and
6.6.2 Pressure Transducers and Electronic Data estimate transmissivity (see Section 12). If well bore storage
Loggers—A combination of a pressure transducer and elec- effects are negligible (see Section 10), compare the new value
tronic data logger can provide rapid measurements of water of T' to the value used to calculate c1, if the value is within
level change, and can be programmed to sample at reduced 10 %, the test can be terminated.
frequency late in the test. Select the pressure transducer to 8.3.3 If control well is not screened through the entire
measure pressure changes equivalent to the range of expected thickness of the aquifer, estimate the transmissivity of the
water level changes. Check the transducer in the field by aquifer following procedure in Sections 12 and 13.
raising and lowering the transducer a measured distance in the NOTE 2—The withdrawal of water from a well with contamination may
well. Also check the transducer readings periodically with a be problematic by the generation of contaminated water that will have to
steel tape. be handled and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
6.6.3 Equipment used for measuring flows, and water levels NOTE 3—The use of a sand content measurement device can be used
should have calibration records, or be calibrated for the test. when a well is pumped to assess the well condition, determining a
pumping rate, and avoiding damage to the well.
6.7 Sand Content Measurement Device—Apparatus to mea-
sure the sand content in discharged water. Cone Types (for 9. Correction of Drawdown in an Unconfined Aquifer
example, Imhoff) can be used for higher concentrations of sand 9.1 The Theis equation is directly applicable to confined
in the discharge water and centrifugal sand separators (for aquifers and is suitable for use with limitations in unconfined
example, Rossum) can be used for lower levels and are aquifers. If the aquifer is unconfined and drawdown is less than
commercially available and commonly used. 10 percent of the prepumping saturated thickness, little error
will be introduced. If drawdown exceeds 25 percent of the
7. Conditioning Procedures prepumping saturated thickness, this test should not be used to
7.1 Conditioning procedures are conducted before the test to estimate transmissivity. For unconfined aquifers with draw-
ensure that the control well is properly equipped and that the down equal to 10 to 25 percent of the original saturated
well discharge and water-level measuring equipment is opera- thickness, correct the drawdown for the effects of reduced
tional. saturated thickness by the following formula given by Jacob
7.1.1 Equip the control well with a calibrated accumulating (2):
water meter or another type of calibrated well yield measuring ~ s 2!
s' 5 s 2 (1)
device. 2m
 D5472/D5472M − 14
where: t = 0.50 days
s = measured drawdown in the control well, C1 = W(u)/4π
s' = corrected drawdown, and W(u) = (−0.5772 − Ln[u])
m' = saturated thickness of the aquifer prior to pumping.
where:
10. Well Bore Storage Effects u = (r2S)/(4Tt) = 4.0809 × 10−10
C1 = (−0.5772 − Ln [4.0809 × 10−10)/4π]
10.1 Evaluate the time criterion to determine if well-bore C1 = (−0.5772 − Ln[4.0809 × 10−10])/12.5664
storage affects drawdown at the current duration of the test. C1 = (−0.5772 − [−21.6195]) ⁄12.5664
Weeks (3) gives a time criterion modified after Papadopulos C1 = 21.0423/12.5664 = 1.6745
and Cooper (4) of t > 25 r 2/T after which drawdown in the
12.1.3 Calculate transmissivity from Eq 4;
control well is not affected by well-bore storage.
T = c1Q/s,
Examples: a well with a radius of 305 mm and a T of 9.2903 Assume Q/s = 109 m3/day/ft
m2/day has a time criterion of t > 25 r 2/T = t > 25 days = t > T = 1.6745 × 109 m3/day/m = 1163.52 m3/day
32.8 min [a well with a radius of 1 foot and a T of 1000 ft2/day Assume Q/s = 3850 [(ft3/day)/ft]
has a time criterion of t > 25 r 2/T = t > 25 (1)2/1000 = 0.025 T = 1.6745 × 3850 = 6450 ft2/day (rounded)
days = t > 36 min]. 12.1.4 If transmissivity calculated in 12.1.3 is not within
10 % of the provisional transmissivity, T', recalculate c1 from
11. Computation of Specific Capacity the new value of transmissivity and recalculate transmissivity
11.1 Record the drawdown and the time since pumping by formula. In the example, because 1163.52 m3/day [6450
started. ft2/day] is approximately 59 percent of the initial T' value of the
1022 m2/day [11 000 ft2/day], a more accurate c1 can be
11.2 Compute the specific capacity of the control well from computed to match the new T' value.
the average well yield (Q) and the drawdown (s): T' = 1022 m2/day [6450 ft2/day]
Specific Capacity 5 Q/s @ ~ L 3 T 21 ! L 21 # (2) S = 2 × 10−5
c1 = W(u)/4π
11.2.1 An example of a specific capacity where discharge is W(u) = (−0.5772 − Ln[u])
given in m3, (4.546 m3/min) and a drawdown of 15 m:
Specific Capacity = 4.546 m3/min (1440 min/day)/15 m where:
= 109 m3/day u = (r2S)/(4Tt) = 8.9780 × 10−6 = 6.9597 × 10−10
11.2.2 An example of specific capacity where discharge is C1 = (−0.5772 − Ln 6.9597 × 10−10)/4π
given in inch/pound units (1000 gallons per minute) and C1 = (−0.5772 − Ln 6.9597 × 10−10)/12.5664
drawdown in feet (50): C1 = (−0.5772 − (−21.0857) ⁄12.5664
Specific Capacity = C1 = 20.5085/12.5664 = 1.6320
[1000 gpm (1440 min/day/7.48 gal/ft3)]/50 ft = thus:
3850 [(ft3/day)]ft T' = C1(Q/s) =
1.6320 × 1022 m2/day = 1667 m2/day
12. Estimate Transmissivity from Specific Capacity [1.6320 × 3850 = 6300 ft2/day (rounded)]
12.1 A modification of the Theis (1) nonequilibrium equa- The new value of transmissivity is within 10 % of the
tion is used to evaluate transmissivity data derived from value used to compute transmissivity.
specific capacity as follows: NOTE 4—The initial estimates of transmissivity can be based on values
of transmissivity and storage of the aquifer determined at other locations
T 5 @ W ~ u ! /4π # Q/s (3) or from a general knowledge of the aquifer properties. The transmissivity
could be estimated from driller’s logs using methods described by
12.1.1 A general form of the equation is: Gutentag and others (5). The storage coefficient can be estimated for
T' 5 c 1 Q/s (4) unconfined aquifer as 0.2 and for confined aquifers as b × 10−6, where b
is the thickness of the aquifer in metres [feet]. In areas where aquifer
where: properties are not known and drillers log data are lacking, the following
values, modified from Harlan, Kolm, and Gutentag (6) can be used as
c1 = W(u)/4π. initial estimates of c1:
12.1.2 Calculate the value of c1 from a provisional value of Confined aquifers 1.6
Unconfined aquifers 0.8
transmissivity, T', estimated storage coefficient, S, well radius,
r, and duration of the test, t. An example of the computation of
c1 using field values of discharge in SI units [inch/pound] units 13. Correction of Transmissivity for Partially Penetrating
is as follows: Well
13.1 If the full aquifer thickness is not screened, the value of
where:
T' represents the transmissivity of the screened section of the
T' = 1022 m2/day [11 000 ft2/day], aquifer. To estimate the transmissivity of the full thickness of
S = 2 × 10−5 the aquifer, divide estimated transmissivity by the length of the
r = 200 mm [0.67 ft (16-in. Id diameter pipe)], screened interval to compute the hydraulic conductivity (K).
 D5472/D5472M − 14
After computing (K) the hydraulic conductivity value is 14.5 Sand content in discharge water (if used) data.
multiplied by the entire thickness of the saturated thickness (m)
of the aquifer to compute an estimate of transmissivity as: 15. Precision and Bias
T = Km . 15.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due
to the nature of this test method. It is either not feasible or too
14. Report: Test Data Sheets/Forms costly at this time to have ten or more agencies participate in
14.1 Prepare a report containing all data, including a de- an in situ testing program at a given site.
scription of the field site, well construction, names of personnel 15.1.1 The subcommittee (insert number) is seeking any
involved, plots of pumping water level and well discharge with data from the users of this test method that might be used to
time. make a limited statement on precision.
14.2 Present analysis of data, using iteration techniques for 15.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
c, when results differ from initial input values of T and S. method, therefore bias cannot be determined.
14.3 Compare estimated test conditions with the test method 16. Keywords
assumptions listed in 5.1. 16.1 aquifers; aquifer tests; control wells; hydraulic conduc-
14.4 Calibration records for flowmeters, water level devices tivity; observation wells; specific capacity; storage coefficient;
and systems. transmissivity; unconfined aquifers

REFERENCES

(1) Theis, C. V., 1935, The Relation Between the Lowering of Duration of 7027, UC-66, TID 4500-R66, p. 14–26.
Discharge of a Well Using Ground-Water Storage: American Geo- (4) Papadopulos, I. S., and Cooper, H. H., Jr., 1967, Drawdown in a Well
physical Union Transactions, v. 16. pt. 2, p. 519–524. of Large Diameter: Water Resources Research, v. 3, no. 1, p. 241–244.
(2) Jacob, C. E., “Determining the Permeability of Water-Table Aquifers,” (5) Gutentag, E. D., Heimes, F. J., Krothe, N. C., Luckey, R. R., and
in Bentall, Ray, Compiler, “Methods of Determining Permeability, Weeks, J. B., 1984, Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer in parts
Transmissibility, and Drawdown,” U.S. Geological Survey Water- of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South
Supply Paper 1536-I, 1963, pp. 245–271. Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Professional
(3) Weeks, E. P., 1978, Aquifer Tests—the State of the Art in Hydrology: Paper 1400-B, 63 p.
in Proceedings Invitational Well-Testing Symposium, October 19–21, (6) Harlan, R. L., Kolm, K. E., and Gutentag, E. D., 1989, Water-Well
1977, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, LBL- Design and Construction: Elsevier, Amsterdam, 205, p.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

In accordance with Committee D18 policy, this section identifies the location of changes to this standard since
the last edition (1993 (Reapproved 2005)) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Revised section 1.3 to make Standard a combined SI/Inch (5) Added information and notes for the use of D3740 and
Pound standard. Revised examples and dimensions throughout D6026.
to reflect a combined SI/inchpound system. (6) Added Summary of Test Method, new Section 4, and
(2) Revised title of Section 13. renumbered existing sections
(3) Updated Precision and Bias Statement (7) Imported the description of equipment used from D4050 to
(4) Updated Terminology introduction and removed terminol- make standard stand alone.
ogy already existing in D653. (8) Added notes and renumbered existing notes.

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