Field scale minimization of energy use for groundwater pumping

•Testing of limitations on an analytical solution to a groundwater management problem.•Management problem minimizes energy used for groundwater lift over a well field.•Tested on a California aquifer with large historical drawdown.•Modification to the analytical solution is proposed.

SummaryThe limitations on an analytical solution to a groundwater management problem are tested with a field-scale problem and a modification to the analytical solution is proposed. The management problem minimizes the energy used for extracting water from the subsurface. The analytical solution depends on assumptions of linearity, steady state conditions, and adequate water demand to activate all wells and results in a stationarity condition that depends on initial lift and drawdown at each well. The field-scale problem is an aquifer in California with large historical drawdown. Testing of the analytical solution assumptions provides encouragement that the analytical solution may be useful to well-system operators for practical application to minimize energy consumption for pumping.