Environment Agency SE awards Cotswolds Groundwater Modelling to ESI

Environment Agency South East awards Cotswolds Groundwater modelling project to ESI

The Jurassic limestone aquifers of the Cotswolds are an important source of public water supply as well as for baseflow to the headwaters of the River Thames.  However, these karstic aquifers have low storage potential and respond rapidly to antecedent rainfall: during dry periods many reaches of the main tributaries may become dry naturally which makes the aquifers particularly vulnerable to the effects of over abstraction.

The Environment Agency plans to develop a conceptual and numerical groundwater model of the area to support its management of the groundwater resources of the area.  The new model will provide a sound, evidence-based tool to support the strategic assessment of the available water resources and water abstraction licensing decisions.  The tool will also help to develop measures to protect the groundwater in these aquifers as this is very vulnerable to pollution due to the speed with which recharge reaches the water table after rainfall.

In September 2011 ESI was awarded a contract to develop the Cotswolds conceptual and numerical groundwater model.  The hydrogeology of the area is considered to be particularly complex and challenging.  ESI was able to put forward a strong team with track record in water resource hydrogeology, modelling of layered and fractured aquifers as well as relevant experience of the Jurassic Limestones.  The work is scheduled to continue through to March 2013.