Abstract In order to provide an additional supply of water for Drax Power Station the CEGB proposed to abstract water from the Bunter Sandstone aquifer which underlies the site. A pumping test was carried out to assess the effects of abstraction, and this involved monitoring groundwater pressures and surface deformations. The first part of the paper details the ground and groundwater conditions, and describes the design of the pumping test and installation of the instrumentation. Theoretical aspects of analysis and response of groundwater pressures to abstraction are also discussed. The second part of the paper outlines and analyses the results of the pumping test. The results are presented as a series of graphs of drawdown, surface deformation, and duration and rate of pumping. The true aquifer characteristics were determined from the pumping test results using the analysis of Thiem incorporating Huisman's procedures for partially penetrating wells. Using the same analyses the effects of the pumping test are extrapolated to proposed 'licenced' rates. A discussion follows on the results and some interesting observed responses. The final part of the paper assesses the consequences of surface deformations due to groundwater abstraction on existing and proposed structures. In particular, the effects of large differential settlements between buried services and piled structures, and also induced negative skin friction on vertical and raking piles are considered. Recommendations were subsequently given on the siting of the well which minimised its effects.