Review of West Lancashire Sources

As part of United Utilities’ 25-year plan for the West Lancashire area, it was proposed to centralise treatment for a number of borehole sources.  Each borehole would then act as a raw water pumping station to a central treatment works.  Because of issues with raw water quality, poor yield and distance from the proposed treatment works, some of the boreholes are not ideally placed, and United Utilities wanted to optimise the source/supply network.  With current sources, it would be necessary to install a solvent treatment plant, as well as treatment for iron and manganese.

      

In 2008 United Utilities instructed ESI Ltd. to undertake a scoping exercise to test the viability of developing three new boreholes in the area and retiring those with quality and yield issues.  This would negate the need for a solvent treatment plant and reduce pumping costs.  

The first stage of the project involved identifying optimal locations for three new boreholes.  The second stage of the project involved using the Environment Agency’s new regional groundwater model (developed by ESI) to make predictions about the impact of these potential new abstractions on local receptors.  The work was carried out under a tight timeframe and the results are now being used to review the local borehole network and to plan new boreholes.   

Please contact ESI (01743 276100 / email) for more information on 'Review of West Lancashire Sources '.