Methodology & Validation

How the groundwater estimate is produced, how to check its reliability for your own area, and — just as importantly — what it cannot do.

How the assessment works

The estimate combines a proprietary hydrogeological model with multiple public environmental datasets — digital terrain models, satellite-derived information, hydrographic networks and geological data. Rather than relying on a single parameter, the model brings several environmental indicators together to estimate groundwater depth and to evaluate how likely a location is to yield a productive well.

Artificial intelligence is used only in the final stage — not to "guess" groundwater, but to interpret the model's outputs, incorporate any optional information you provide, summarise relevant publicly available information about the local area, and generate a structured report in plain language. In other words: the scientific assessment comes first; the AI helps explain the results.

The depth-to-groundwater estimate is free and unlimited. Unlocking a location adds the model's drilling-suitability and expected-yield assessment, plus the detailed report.

Data sources

Relief: produced using Copernicus WorldDEM-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018 provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA; all rights reserved. Hydrography: HydroRIVERS / HydroLAKES (© WWF / HydroSHEDS). Lithology: GLiM (Hartmann & Moosdorf, 2012), CC BY 3.0. Climate: Köppen-Geiger (Beck et al., 2018).

Can you trust digital models?

This is probably the most important question, and the honest answer is: sometimes they perform remarkably well, and sometimes they do not. Hydrogeological conditions vary enormously around the world. In areas where measured groundwater levels and pumping-test results are available, comparisons show encouraging agreement with the estimates. In regions with highly complex geology, intense faulting or heterogeneous aquifers, deviations can occur. No responsible hydrogeologist should promise perfect accuracy — a digital assessment is best treated as an additional source of information that helps guide better decisions.

How to check reliability for your area

Before relying on the results for your own property, compare the model against several nearby locations whose groundwater depth or productivity is already known — for example:

productive wells and dry wells nearby,
neighbours' wells,
municipal records,
publicly available groundwater and drilling data.

If the estimates reasonably match local reality, confidence in the assessment increases. This simple verification step often provides far more insight than judging a model in isolation — and it is the best way to gauge accuracy for your area, where local geology may differ from regional data.

What this tool can — and cannot — do

✔ What it can help you with

Estimate groundwater depth;
Assess drilling suitability;
Estimate expected well productivity;
Provide a structured hydrogeological assessment;
Generate an AI-assisted report incorporating your observations and local public information;
Help reduce uncertainty before investing in drilling.

✖ What it cannot do

Guarantee groundwater will be found;
Guarantee a productive well;
Replace licensed hydrogeologists;
Replace field investigations, drilling or pumping tests;
Detect every local geological anomaly;
Eliminate drilling risk.

Try the free groundwater estimate →

Estimates from wheretodigwell.com are a preliminary, data-based screening tool, not a guarantee of groundwater conditions at any specific site. Actual depth, yield and water quality can only be confirmed by drilling and testing, and local conditions may differ from regional data. Always check local regulations before constructing a well.

Methodology development lead: Prof. Milan Radulović, PhD in Hydrogeology (University of Montenegro), Podgorica, Montenegro. The University of Montenegro is not affiliated with and does not endorse this service.