Three Things to Celebrate About Groundwater

Managed correctly, groundwater is a reliable friend but it’s a fine balance to strike. Before we discuss what balance means, let’s first celebrate three amazing things’ groundwater gives us…

• Whether in drought it floods, groundwater provides a far more reliable source of clean water for drinking and many other uses in comparison to surface water.
• Groundwater quality is far more consistent than surface water and less vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts or contamination from surface activities.
• Groundwater often tastes great too because it picks up minerals from interactions with soils and rock that aren’t found at the same concentrations in surface water.

Whilst we’re sure there are many more amazing facts, we see those as some of the most important. Now about that balance… groundwater requires regular recharge from rainfall. However, the effects of climate change are having a significant impact on the frequency and intensity of those recharge events. How we manage groundwater in the future is therefore as much about how we manage our unpredictable friend, surface water too!

What can be done?

Well, water needs to be managed more effectively to account for variable weather. After all, the ever-changing climate swings between lots or not much water and therefore we need a flexible regulatory approach. We need to balance out the pressures by storing or transferring water when there’s plenty and being able to draw on resources, when and where they are needed in times of drought.

We need regulators to be able to make rapid decisions, to be able to change their minds and to recognise that a decision today, doesn’t mean a decision for ever. Where necessary the rules that they work within from primary legislation all the way down to local attitudes, need to reflect that flexibility.

Need help striking the balance with one of your projects? Whether it be groundwater or surface water, Envireau Water has extensive experience in balancing the scientific need with an engineering approach to satisfy regulators and solve problems. Get in touch on 01332 871 882 or email info@envireauwater.co.uk to see if we can help.