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What is Static Water Level?
The static water level is the distance from the land surface (or the measuring point) to the water in the well under non-pumping (static) conditions.
Static water level before pumping.
How far down is the water in your well?
The only information you may have is the level of the water when the well was first drilled. Only professionals with the right equipment should open up a water well. Once the well cap is off, and the pump equipment removed, a flashlight, or sunlight reflected by a mirror may allow you to visually see the water level.
A better method for measuring the water level is to insert an electronic probe on a roll of electric wire down the well. When the probe meets the water an electric circuit is completed and a buzzer, light or ohmmeter needle responds. The length of cable from the top of the well casing to the probe will be the depth to water in the well. However in most wells, the pump, pipe, pipe centralizers and electric cable can make direct measurement impossible.
Wells are usually completed with static pipe for a depth probe so that measurements can be made with the pump in place.
What factors can influence the wells static water level?
Many factors may influence the wells static water level. Rain and snowmelt can add water to aquifers, raising water levels. Periods of drought with no recharge will lead to falling water levels as ground water moves slowly to discharge points such as springs and rivers or is used by deep rooted vegetation. The water level in wells near the coast may be slightly influenced by tides. Atmospheric pressure changes can also cause small changes in well water levels. Low pressure may raise water levels and high pressure may lower them.
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