Upper Thames Major Resource Development
| Client: |
Thames Water |
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| Location: | Abingdon, Oxfordshire |
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| Services: | Groundwater Modelling , Environmental Impact Assessments |
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| Issues: |
Impact of reservoir construction on local groundwater system and wider surface water environment |
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| Summary: |
ESI supported the preparation of the hydrogeological component of the Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed reservoir. Groundwater and solute transport modelling were used to predict groundwater chemistry in the aquifer beneath the proposed reservoir site resulting from a complex hydrogeological history, with old, brackish water being flushed by fresh recharge wasters. |
Thames Water is currently re-evaluating the requirement for a major water resource development in the Upper Thames area including the case identified previously for a reservoir south west of Abingdon. A project team has been appointed by Thames Water to undertake this work. ESI is supporting Thames Water and Cascade Consulting in the preparation of the hydrogeological component of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed scheme. ESI is also working alongside Jacobs UK Ltd which has been appointed by Thames Water to lead the engineering input to the project.
ESI has been working with Thames Water for a number of years to carry out baseline work at the site. This has included a number of varied programmes designed and implemented by ESI:
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Installation of testing and sampling boreholes in superficial deposits and Corallian aquifer, and installation of multi-level WestBay systems in the Kimmeridge Clay; |
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Monitoring groundwater heads in the superficial deposits and Corallian aquifer; |
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Monitoring pressure heads and vertical head gradients in the Kimmeridge Clay; |
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Pumping tests to determine aquifer and aquitard properties; |
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Falling head tests in the Kimmeridge Clay; |
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Regular groundwater and surface water sampling. |
In addition, ESI has planned and supervised a number of studies undertaken by external contractors, including ecology surveys, core testing and pore water extraction.
Fieldwork continues to be undertaken at regular intervals, and ESI is playing a key role in designing and interpreting the hydrogeological results of the current phase of site investigation.
Please contact ESI for more information on 'Upper Thames Major Resource Development'.