NI Water is exploring potential borehole options to access groundwater in order to secure a long term, resilient water supply.
Groundwater is currently a largely unused water source in Northern Ireland.
Mark Herron, Project Manager explained:
“While much of Northern Ireland’s water supply is captured on higher ground through reservoirs, a significant proportion is drawn from lower lying loughs and rivers. This water often requires more treatment and pumping which increases emissions from fossil fuel generated electricity. We have also seen several unusually long dry spells and elevated temperatures, which create periods of exceptionally high demand for water. As a result, NI Water has faced increased water supply challenges and has been actively looking for a solution using boreholes.
“We are lucky that in Northern Ireland we have a special source of water that is largely untapped. Whilst it is limited, it has the potential to help us to supply customers at peak periods and help address climate change by using less energy and lowering our harmful CO2 emissions.”
NI Water have started with the Sherwood Sandstone aquifers - the geological formations which contain groundwater there are known to provide high quality water.
Mark Herron continued:
“Sherwood Sandstone is a geological feature highly unusual in Europe. In collaboration with The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, NI Water is now planning to tap into this source as it strengthens its water supply resilience.
“The Sherwood Sandstone aquifers contain groundwater that has been naturally filtered, providing a high quality, sustainable local water source which only needs minimal treatment before drinking.
Hydrogeologist Paul Wilson of The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland added:
“Over a period that could be as long as one hundred years, Sherwood Sandstone can act as a great natural filter of water, providing a high quality, sustainable local water source that enables environmental benefits from lowering the use of electricity that can otherwise be required in pumping.
“Globally and across Europe, there is growing uncertainty over climate change and the sustainability of water resources for both public supply and private industry. Northern Ireland is uniquely placed, having a surplus of groundwater resources that are unlikely to be impacted as negatively by climate change as other climate zones.”
Testing has already begun in Lisburn and Moneymore to assess the potential for groundwater sources and has showed promising signs. NI Water is now looking forward to working with the quality and environmental regulators in the Drinking Water Inspectorate and NIEA to realise the full potential at these locations.
Pictured at Moneymore Borehole test site is NI Water’s Mark Herron, Project Manager, Trevor Cousins Water Efficiency & Innovation Manager and Thomas McLaughlin, Clinty Chemicals (supplier of glass media filters) with clean, local groundwater.
By 2022, the naturally filtered source will supply the town of Moneymore with all their water needs.
Pictured at Moneymore Borehole test site is NI Water’s Mark Herron, Project Manager and Trevor Cousins, Water Efficiency & Innovation Manager, with glasses of clean, local groundwater. By 2022, this naturally filtered source will supply the town of Moneymore with all their water needs.
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