trouble shooting

Skills and knowledge developed over 36 years of professional experience are used to solve unusual problems in the yield of new boreholes and other water sources, long-term yield deterioration, groundwater quality problems and flooding incidents.

Evaluation of contaminated borehole source
A borehole that supplies a house in the Yorkshire Dales became contaminated by faecal bacteria. The project was to evaluate the possibility that the source of the contamination was the overflow from a septic tank on the neighbouring property and to recommend the appropriate measures to alleviate the problem

Investigation of water seepage into cellar for solicitors in Hyde, Cheshire
Water is seeping into the cellar of an old house in Hyde, Cheshire from an unidentified source. A detailed review of the events and the use of chemical and hydrogeological data were carried out which identified mains water, sewage and rainwater components in the seepage water.

Evaluation of alleged damage to a spring-based water supply
A spring source for an estate in northwest Scotland was affected by a high level of suspended material in runoff following the use of all terrain vehicles during a construction contract. The landowner claimed substantial damage alleging that the source water has been damaged beyond repair. The project was to review the sequence of events including the recommendations of two other consultants and make recommendations to the loss adjuster. The investigation showed that the source was poorly constructed, which had been a contributory factor in the damage suffered. The case was settled at a much-reduced cost.

Groundwater quality investigation at Harrogate
A newly constructed irrigation borehole on the outskirts of Harrogate proved to yield groundwater that is too saline for irrigation use. Comparison of the groundwater chemistry with that of the mineral water springs in Harrogate showed the waters to have the same origin and to be flowing up the borehole from depth. The recommended solution was to partially backfill the borehole to prevent the up coning of saline water and to purge-pump to remove the saline water that had already entered the upper aquifer via the borehole.

Assessment of leakage from a lake at Stanley Park Blackpool
The water level in the amenity lake in Stanley Park in Blackpool falls rapidly in dry weather and was suspected of leaking although there are no signs at the ground surface. An evaluation of the local geology, hydrogeology and hydrological conditions was carried out and demonstrate that leakage is taking place. This enabled the cause of the leakage to be identified so that a to identify an engineering solution could be implemented.