A borehole / water supply feasibility study was undertaken for a local charity called Yellow Ribbon Community Chaplaincy (Yellow Ribbon), for the purchase of a property to serve as a combined community development hub and cafe on The Wrekin, near Telford, Shropshire.
In order to put together a business case for grant funding, Yellow Ribbon needed to understand the potential for a reliable potable water supply to the property, which is located in a relatively remote location. H Fraser Consulting were asked to provide an options assessment. The assessment examined all possible water sources and the likelihood that they would give a sufficient drinking water supply, which ultimately lead to a groundwater fed borehole being drilled to supply the hub.
The property is on the north-eastern tip of the Wrekin at an elevation of approximately 259 m above Ordnance Datum (m aOD); water was previously supplied via a small (and reportedly unreliable) seep located south of the property. H Fraser Consulting calculated a maximum daily use of the order of 750 l/d.
H Fraser Consulting undertook a review of local geology, hydrogeology, hydrology and topographical information to ascertain the potential for delivering water supply to the facility. Our experienced team of hydrogeologist incorporated their findings into a desk study that explored alternative water sources available. The study outlined the potential costs as well as any potential risks and data gaps and recommended the most sustainable and cost-effective way to supply water to the property. Yellow Ribbon used this study to support a grant funding application.
The water supply options investigated included rainwater harvesting (on and off-site), use of the existing seepage, streams located to the southwest of the property, borehole installation, installation of mains water, and re-use of grey water. Of the options reviewed, the most reliable supply would be a mains water installation. However, this was also the most expensive option. The next preference in terms of reliability and quality was a borehole supply; with a good chance that this would provide sufficient water, though not a certainty since there are no nearby installations in the target aquifer. A combination of the cheaper options would potentially generate enough water, but this was uncertain.
The bedrock geology of the Wrekin and surrounding area is complex. The important geology is for the exposure of Uriconian igneous rocks and the boundary of the Uriconian with the Cambrian Wrekin Quartzite. This does occur at Halfway House, though exposures on site are poor. Our geologists have an excellent understanding of this rock type and were experienced in evaluating its resource potential.
Following consultation with H Fraser Consulting and local drilling companies, Yellow Ribbon decided to go ahead with the borehole despite the costs and uncertainty; if water was available, this would be the most reliable source and much cheaper and less destructive than installing mains water from a considerable distance.
A borehole has since been drilled to 80 m which has provided a more than adequate supply of drinking water to the property. Yellow Ribbon were very happy with the feasibility study undertaken by H Fraser Consulting, which provided rigorous support to the application for grant money. They were pleased with the speed in which our team provided the study, meeting the deadline for grant applications. The installation of the water system is almost complete, and the cafe will be up and running in 2025. Congratulations to the Yellow Ribbon team in their success.
If you are looking into water supply or borehole / water well feasibility, please feel free to contact us for more details on how our team of consultants can assist – info@hfraserconsulting.co.uk or 01743 352797.
