Groundwater Resource Opportunities Northern Ireland
Paul WilsonGroundwater Engineer
1. Climate2. Geology3. Policy4. Baseline Conditions5. Skills and Data
Ulster Hospital
One borehole and plant room
£320,000 capital cost
£80,000 annual savings
4 year payback period
Capacity for at least 5 times their current water usage
1. Climate
• 800-2000mm of rain per year spread across the year
• Mild temperatures so not locked up as ice or quickly evaporates
• Groundwater recharge twice that of the south of England
3. Policy
Groundwater Quantity• The Water Abstraction and Impoundment
(Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 – Protect investments.
• No active restrictions on licensees
Open for Business!
3. Policy
Groundwater Quality• Agriculture – Nitrate Action Plans
• Industry – Pollution Prevention Control Permits
Groundwater Quality will not Deteriorate
4. Baseline Conditions
Groundwater Quantity• Aquifers are full
• Far higher recharge rates than previously estimated
4. Baseline Conditions
Groundwater Quality• Exceeds Drinking Water Standards – Little or no
treatment required
• Some areas naturally high mineral concentrations – Sperrins
4. Baseline Conditions
Available Groundwater• Recharge – 4 Million ML per year
• Usage – 45,000 ML per year
• Available Capacity – 3 Million ML per year Sustainable
• Groundwater Storage – Non Sustainable but available.
4. Skills and Data
Skills• Strong Geoscience and Environmental Engineering
Platform – Queen’s, UU, TCD, NUIG, NUIC
Data
Prospecting Process
Stage 1 – Borehole Prognosis Desk Study
Stage 2 – Detailed site assessment
Stage 3 – Pilot Hole(s)
Stage 4 - Production Hole(s)
Stage 5 – Testing and Completion Report
Stage 6 – M&E surface works and connection
Contact
Paul [email protected](028) 90 388462