ASTM D5737-95(2006)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D5737 − 95(Reapproved 2006)
Standard Guide for
Methods for Measuring Well Discharge
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5737; 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 document means only that the document has been approved
through the ASTM consensus process.
1.1 This guide covers an overview of methods to measure
well discharge. This guide is an integral part of a series of
2. Referenced Documents
standards prepared on the in-situ determination of hydraulic
2.1 ASTM Standards:
properties of aquifer systems by single- or multiple-well tests.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Measurement of well discharge is a common requirement to
Fluids
the determination of aquifer and well hydraulic properties.
D1941 Test Method for Open Channel Flow Measurement
1.2 This guide does not establish a fixed procedure for any
of Water with the Parshall Flume
method described. Rather, it describes different methods for
D4043 Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in
measuring discharge from a pumping or flowing well. A
Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
pumping well is one type of control well. A control well can
D5242 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
also be an injection well or a well in which slug tests are
of Water with Thin-Plate Weirs
conducted.
D5390 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
1.3 This guide does not address borehole flow meters that of Water with Palmer-Bowlus Flumes
are designed for measuring vertical or horizontal flow within a D5716 Test Method for Measuring the Rate of Well Dis-
borehole. charge by Circular Orifice Weir
2.2 ISO Standard:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Recommendation R541 Measurement of Fluid Flow by
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Means of Orifice Plates and Nozzles
only.
2.3 ANSI Standard:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Standard 1042 Part1MethodsfortheMeasurementofFluid
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Flow in Pipes, 1, Orifice Plates, Nozzles and Venturi
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Tubes
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2.4 ASME Standard:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Furthermore, it is
Standard MFC-3M-1989 Measurement of Fluid Flow in
the user’s responsibility to properly dispose of water dis-
Pipes Using Orifice, Nozzle, and Venturi
charged.
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information
3. Terminology
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
3.1 Definitions:
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
3.1.1 conceptual model—an interpretation or description of
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
the characteristics, interactions, and dynamics of a physical
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
system.
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
3.1.2 control well—a well by which the head and flow in the
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
aquifer is changed, by pumping, injection, or imposing a
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
change of head.
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and the ASTM website.
Vadose Zone Investigations. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Current edition approved July 1, 2006. Published August 2006. Originally Floor, New York, NY 10036.
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D5737 – 95 (2000). Available fromAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th Street,
DOI: 10.1520/D5737-95R06. New York, NY 10017.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5737 − 95 (2006)
3.1.3 discharge—or rate of flow, is the volume of water that includes methods such as turbine meters and magnetic meters.
passes a particular reference section in a unit of time. Also included are methods that measure the discharge of water
from the closed conduit to the air, such as the orifice tube.
3.1.4 totalizing flow meter—a flow meter that indicates the
cumulative flow displayed as a volume. The flow rate is
5.3 Open Channel Flow Methods:
calculated based on the time between two readings.
5.3.1 Weirs—A weir is a vertical obstruction that restricts
the total flow of water in channel. Weirs fall into three general
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see
classifications, sharp crested, broad crested, and suppressed.
Terminology D653.
Sharp crested weirs use a flat plate that is configured in a
4. Significance and Use triangular “V” or rectangular shape; they are described in
5.3.1.1. See Test Method D5242. Broad crested weirs are wide
4.1 This guide is limited to the description of test methods
rectangular restrictions that are usually only used as spillways
typical for measurement of groundwater discharge from a
in dams. They are not described here. More information on
control well.
broad crested weirs may be found in Ref (4). A third classifi-
4.1.1 Controlled field tests are the primary means of deter-
cation of weirs, called suppressed weirs, are more commonly
mining aquifer properties. Most mathematical equations devel-
known as flumes. Flumes are discussed in 5.3.2.
oped for analyzing field tests require measurement of control
5.3.1.1 Sharp Crested Weirs—The weir is placed flush
well discharge.
against the flowing stream, and the notch is made as sharp as
4.1.2 Discharge may be needed for evaluation of well
possible using a flat piece of metal with sharp edges forming
design and efficiency.
theweirnotch.Therelationbetweentheheadandthedischarge
4.1.3 For aquifer tests, a conceptual model should be
of a weir varies according to the shape of the weir notch. A
prepared to evaluate the proper test method and physical test
weir is inexpensive to construct, easy to install and highly
requirements, such as well placement and design (see Guide
accurate when installed and used properly.
D4043). Review the site data for consistency with the concep-
5.3.2 Flume—A flume is a device that restricts flow in the
tual model. Revise the conceptual model as appropriate and
channel which causes the water to accelerate, producing a
consider the implications on the planned activities.
corresponding change in the water level. The head can then be
4.1.4 For aquifer tests, the discharge rate should be suffi-
related to discharge. Several types of flumes have been
cient to cause significant stress of the aquifer without violating
developed; the most common flume for measuring well dis-
test assumptions. Conditions that may violate test assumptions
charge is the Parshall flume, originally designed by R. L.
include conversion of the aquifer from confined to unconfined
Parshall of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (5). See Test
conditions, lowering the water level in the control well to
Methods D1941 and D5390.
belowthetopofthewellscreen,causingawellscreenentrance
5.3.2.1 Flumes have several advantages over weirs. The
velocity that promotes well development during the test, or
most important of these is the self-cleaning capacity of flumes
decreasing the filter pack permeability characteristics.
comparedwithsharp-edgedweirs.Headlossesthroughaflume
4.1.5 Sometestmethodsdescribedherearenotapplicableto
are also much less than for a weir, so when the available head
injection well tests.
is limited, flumes are more desirable. Flumes can function over
4.2 This guide does not apply to test methods used in
a wide range of discharges and still require only a single
measurement of flow of other fluids used in industrial opera-
upstream head measurement. However, flumes require more
tions, such as waste water, sludge, oil, and chemicals.
time to set up than weirs.
5.4 Closed Conduit Methods:
5. Test Methods
5.4.1 Invasive Methods:
5.1 Selection of a Well Discharge Rate Measurement
5.4.1.1 Turbine-Type (Propeller) Flow Meters—Atotalizing
Method—Select a well discharge measurement method based
flow meter is a device used in measuring water in most
on the desired discharge rate or rates, the desired pumping
domestic and commercial potable water uses. This flow meter
method, the required accuracy and frequency of measurement,
consists of a flow tube in which a rotor blade is mounted
the type of pump discharge and the water conveyance method.
together with either a means of generating an electrical sign
...