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Wells, pumps and power: California D2 water distribution operator math

Drawdown, specific capacity, horsepower, efficiency, pumping cost.

Below are 3 worked examples. Each answer is computed with the formulas and constants on the CA Exam Conversion Sheet (revised 4/30/2026), and the solution names the line it uses.

Formulas from the sheet for this topic

Example 1. The static water level in a well is 23 ft below ground. While the pump runs, the drawdown is 30 ft. How far below ground is the pumping water level?

  1. A) 23.0 ft
  2. B) 30.0 ft
  3. C) 7.00 ft
  4. D) 53.0 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: D) 53.0 ft

1. Drawdown = pumping water level − static water level (the denominator of [Sheet p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"]), so pumping water level = static water level + drawdown. 2. = 23 + 30 = 53 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 53.0 ft.

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"

Example 2. The static water level in a well is 99 ft below ground. While the pump runs, the drawdown is 104 ft. How far below ground is the pumping water level?

  1. A) 104 ft
  2. B) 5.00 ft
  3. C) 307 ft
  4. D) 203 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: D) 203 ft

1. Drawdown = pumping water level − static water level (the denominator of [Sheet p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"]), so pumping water level = static water level + drawdown. 2. = 99 + 104 = 203 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 203 ft.

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"

Example 3. A well's pumping water level is 370 ft below ground and its drawdown is 124 ft. What was the static water level before pumping?

  1. A) 308 ft
  2. B) 494 ft
  3. C) 246 ft
  4. D) 370 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: C) 246 ft

1. Drawdown = pumping water level − static water level (the denominator of [Sheet p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"]), so static water level = pumping water level − drawdown. 2. = 370 − 124 = 246 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 246 ft.

Source: CA Exam Conversion Sheet (Revised 4/30/2026), p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"

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