How to Lower a Water Table

Install a groundwater well or use an existing well on your property for the project. You can hire a certified drilling company in your area or install one yourself if the water is at a shallow depth and your state allows property owners to install personal wells.

Place a submersible pump in the groundwater well. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the installation to ensure the pump operates properly. The diameter of the pump must be a smaller than that of your water well.

Measure the depth to groundwater in the well before you turn on the pump. To measure the water level, turn on the water level indicator and slowly lower the probe into the well. When the probe intersects the top of the water, you will hear a beep or buzz. Read the depth to water off the graduated tape. Record the water level in a notebook with the date and time and note a zero pumping rate for the measurement.

Turn the pump on and estimate a stable pumping rate that the aquifer can sustain. Sandy aquifers will likely tolerate a higher pumping rate than a clay aquifer. You can begin with a slow pumping rate, such as 2 gallons per minute, and increase the rate over time. Average households use a pumping rate of 5 or 6 gallons per minute. As the pump operates, the groundwater will form a cone of depression around the well, lowering the water table. The cone will increase is size until the pumping rate reaches equilibrium. If you stop pumping, the water table will return to its original level.

Monitor the water level every four to eight hours when you begin pumping. You can increase the monitoring interval over time. The depth to groundwater in the well should increase, which indicates that the water table is lowering, or becoming deeper underground. Record all of the water level measurements to document the drawdown at different pumping rates.