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Wells, pumps and power: California T3 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. A well's pumping water level is 247 ft below ground and its drawdown is 123 ft. What was the static water level before pumping?

  1. A) 1.00 ft
  2. B) 124 ft
  3. C) 62.0 ft
  4. D) 93.0 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: B) 124 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. = 247 − 123 = 124 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 124 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's pumping water level is 220 ft below ground and its drawdown is 57 ft. What was the static water level before pumping?

  1. A) 57.0 ft
  2. B) 81.5 ft
  3. C) 106 ft
  4. D) 163 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: D) 163 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. = 220 − 57 = 163 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 163 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 71 ft below ground and its drawdown is 34 ft. What was the static water level before pumping?

  1. A) 71.0 ft
  2. B) 105 ft
  3. C) 34.0 ft
  4. D) 37.0 ft
Show the answer and worked solution

Answer: D) 37.0 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 static water level = pumping water level − drawdown. 2. = 71 − 34 = 37 ft below ground. 3. Answer: 37.0 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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