Preliminary Estimation of Groundwater Depth and Well Prospectivity from Open Global Datasets: A Technical Overview

Siting a water well depends on two quantities that are rarely known before drilling: the depth to the water table and the amount of water the ground can deliver. Estimating them in advance normally requires expert interpretation of geological, topographic, hydrographic and climatic information, which is not available to most people who need a well. This overview describes a digital method that produces a first, location specific estimate of the depth to the water table, a suggested drilling depth, a drilling suitability rating and an expected yield class, using only openly available global datasets. The method is delivered through a web application in which the user selects any point on a map. The approach is designed to work worldwide and is being validated against officially published data, with Montenegro as a pilot area. This document presents the general basis of the method and its intended applications. A detailed and reproducible description, together with quantitative validation, is planned for a peer reviewed paper. URL (the method is available as a web application): https://wheretodigwell.com