What does the term “static water level” refer to?

The term "static water level" refers to the depth of water in a well when it is not being pumped. This level indicates the natural water height in the well and is crucial for understanding the water resource's availability. When a well is at rest—meaning that it is not extracting water—the water level stabilizes, providing a baseline measurement for water levels in the aquifer. This measurement is essential for various applications such as agricultural planning, groundwater management, and assessing the environmental impact of water extraction.

The other options describe different scenarios related to water levels but do not accurately define the static water level. For instance, the depth of water while a well is being pumped will fluctuate due to water being drawn, while the maximum water level in an aquifer isn’t the same as the static level, as it can change based on various conditions. Meanwhile, the average water level during dry seasons could vary seasonally and may not reflect the true static water condition when the well is inactive.