Water Abstraction Wells

Stuart Wells install water supply wells and offer a one-stop service. We can oversee well design and any environmental permitting from investigation to abstraction. We organise and manage the drilling operation, provide all required well materials and can supply, install, and commission the borehole pumping system.

UK Regulatory Position for Water Supply Wells

As of April 2005, abstractions of less than 20m³/day do not require licensing and furthermore there is no requirement to register a supply of less than 20m³/day. this is entirely voluntary. However, you should be aware that the UK Environmental Regulators do have the authority to set a lower limit in certain areas of the country, and that we are obliged to inform the British Geological Survey of the construction of any boreholes greater than 15m in depth.

However, if the water is used for commercial gain, it is necessary to licence the abstraction.

Drilling a water well can be an expensive operation and depending on the expected depth to be drilled and the amount of water required for abstraction we may suggest that a water borehole prognosis is undertaken, to provide guidance on water quality and quantity that may be expected at the location and at what depth.

In England and Wales, the following steps need to be undertaken to progress a commercial water supply and we would highlight at this point that it is not possible to guarantee the quantity or quality of the water that may or may not be obtained from the installed well.

Submit Section 32 to the Environment Agency requesting permission to drill and test pump a borehole. Giving details on the exact position of the borehole, underlying geological, depth, diameter, method of construction, disposal of waste, projected flow rates etc.

Undertake Water Features Survey to the satisfaction of the EA detailing all existing ground water and surface water features within a radius defined by them. This must encompass wells, springs, boreholes, ponds, rivers, wetland features and any other area of interest that could possibly have a bearing on this application.

Drilling of Borehole and Pump Installation. These works cannot be undertaken until we are in receipt of the requisite consents from the Environment Agency.

Pump Testing and Associated Monitoring. Undertake pump test of borehole and monitor all sources identified by the Water Features Survey. Duration of pump test will be determined by the Environment Agency.

Analysis of Test Pumping Data. Undertake analysis of all test pumping data from pumping well and monitoring points.

Pumping Equipment

We can supply and install pumping equipment to suit your requirements; this can be a simple surface mounted pump for shallow wells up to 7 metres deep. An electrical submersible pump will be required for wells greater than 7 metres deep and will pump if needed from depths more than 500 metres. Power requirements need to be considered and in remote locations solar powered systems are worthwhile considering.

The pump will normally be installed within the well with a well chamber flush at ground level appropriate control equipment (a pressure switch, normally) will be installed so that when a tap is turned on the pump will switch on automatically and then switch off when the tap is closed.

If irrigation systems are required these can also be supplied and installed to your individual requirements. Please contact Stuart Wells for more information.

Existing Wells & Water Treatment

If you have an existing well and would like to investigate its potential to provide a water supply. Please contact us. We can undertake a well condition survey and if possible, take a water sample for UKCAS laboratory analysis.

We can design and install in-situ water treatment and filtration systems.

Drinking Water Quality Standards

Please click to link for a table of our assessment and commenst (for information only) of current UK regulatory parameters and standards in accordance with the Water Supply (Water Quality Amendment) Regulations 2018. Some non-regulatory parameters are also included for information only. We can underatake water sampling
(PDF - UK Drinking Water Standards) and labratory analysis for DWQ standards, if required.