Measurements of radial surface strains near a pumping well showed compression near the well that changed to tension farther away from the well. A theoretical model is presented. In general, this model reproduces the measured strains. Observations of anomalous increase in pore pressure in a clay adjacent to the pumped aquifer are related to the development of these strains. These increases in pressure are attributed to distortion of the pore space in the clay resulting from the transference of horizontal strain from the aquifer via shear. Applying a conceptual model that permits the transference of strain across confining layers to unpumped artesian aquifers accounts for reverse water level fluctuations.