Groundwater Resource Opportunities Northern Ireland Paul Wilson Groundwater Engineer
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