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Wells, pumps and power: California T2 water treatment 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 220 ft below ground. While the pump runs, the drawdown is 142 ft. How far below ground is the pumping water level?

  1. A) 78.0 ft
  2. B) 362 ft
  3. C) 142 ft
  4. D) 504 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: B) 362 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. = 220 + 142 = 362 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 362 ft.

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

Example 2. A well yields 1,780 GPM. The static water level is 91 ft below ground and the pumping water level is 127 ft below ground. What is the specific capacity?

  1. A) 61.8 GPM/ft
  2. B) 98.8 GPM/ft
  3. C) 74.1 GPM/ft
  4. D) 49.4 GPM/ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: D) 49.4 GPM/ft

1. Drawdown = 127 − 91 = 36 ft. 2. Specific Capacity = Well Yield ÷ Drawdown [Sheet p.1, Pumping: "Specific Capacity (GPM/Ft) = Well Yield (GPM) / Drawdown (Ft)"] = 1,780 ÷ 36 = 49.44 GPM/ft. 3. Answer: 49.4 GPM/ft (rounded to 3 significant figures).

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

Example 3. Before pumping, the water level in a well is 106 ft below ground. After pumping for several hours it stabilizes at 207 ft below ground. What is the drawdown?

  1. A) 157 ft
  2. B) 313 ft
  3. C) 101 ft
  4. D) 50.5 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: C) 101 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)"]). 2. = 207 − 106 = 101 ft. 3. Answer: 101 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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