The present invention relates to a method for determining a flow rate indicator relating to the output flow rate of one or more activated pumps of a pumping station. The pumping station includes a well to be at least partially emptied by the pumps and an inlet through which inflow can be supplied into the well. The method includes the step of determining, using a computational device, an operating condition relating to the activated pumps. The pumps are temporarily deactivated and an inflow rate indicator relating to the inflow is determined using the computational device, responsive to the determination of the operating condition. The method further includes the step of determining, using the computational device, the flow rate indicator using the determined inflow rate indicator. The present invention is equally applicable to a well to be at least partially filled by the pumps.