The correct answer is: A. sum of the discharges from individual wells.
The total discharge from two wells situated near to each other is the sum of the discharges from individual wells. This is because the water from each well will flow into the same area, and the total discharge will be the sum of the discharges from each well.
Option B is incorrect because the total discharge cannot be less than the sum of the discharges from individual wells. This is because the water from each well will flow into the same area, and the total discharge will be at least the sum of the discharges from each well.
Option C is incorrect because the total discharge cannot be greater than the sum of the discharges from individual wells. This is because the water from each well will flow into the same area, and the total discharge cannot be more than the sum of the discharges from each well.
Option D is incorrect because the total discharge is not equal to the larger of the two discharges from individual wells. This is because the water from each well will flow into the same area, and the total discharge will be the sum of the discharges from each well.