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 WilsonPaul.wilson@economy-ni.gov.uk(028) 90 388462