An equation is developed to estimate potential groundwater resources available for development. This equation is useful for preliminary planning stages prior to detailed design stages. The equation is a function of major factors such as aquifer characteristics, saltwater intrusion length, coastal groundwater discharge and potential locations of pumping wells. Thus, most important factors are taken into account. The equations are derived using well-known analytical solutions. Thus, the basis is scientifically sound. Use of the equation is quite simple since it is an explicit function of variables. A logical method is proposed to assess a radius of influence of a pumping well considering aquifer characteristics and the pumping rate. Applications to a hypothetical problem and comparison with results from a more rigorous numerical simulation model indicate that results obtained from the proposed equation are conservative.