In addition to the fleet of 60 transducers collecting continuous water levels in various aquifer units at the ENWRA Pilot Sites, ENWRA conducted two aquifer tests: one near Hickman and another near Oakland. Aquifer tests are performed to assess the aquifer extent, amount of water in storage, the rate of water movement, and its potential hydraulic connection to other aquifers. To perform an aquifer test, hydrogeologists use a high-capacity production well installed in the aquifer they are studying. Observation wells are then installed at selected distances and in different directions outward from this pumping well. These observation wells are designed to monitor water levels within, above, or below the pumped aquifer.

Water is pumped from the production well at a constant rate over a period of multiple days. The amount of water level decline in each observation well (drawdown) provides hydrogeologists with the information they need to estimate the transmissivity and storativity of the aquifer. Changes in the rate of water-level decline allow hydrogeologists to assess flow boundaries and the potential connections between aquifers.