A reduction in specific capacity indicates what outcome for the operation?

• A. Alkalinization of water
• B. Pumping cost increase
• C. Higher hydraulic efficiency
• D. No change in operation costs

Answer: (B)

Specific capacity is the amount of water a well can produce per unit of drawdown (Q divided by drawdown). When you pump, drawdown increases; if the well or aquifer becomes less efficient, drawdown rises for the same discharge, so specific capacity drops. A lower specific capacity means more energy is required to obtain each unit of water, leading to higher pumping costs. The other options don’t fit because alkalinization is a chemical change not tied to pumping efficiency, higher hydraulic efficiency would correspond to a higher specific capacity, and assuming no change in costs ignores the extra energy needed when capacity falls.