Abstraction licensing (or permitting) is the main way in which the exploitation of water resources is controlled by water/environmental regulators. The granting of abstraction licences is usually based on a maximum licensable resource, having set aside a proportion of the total water resources for environmental and ecological needs. The impact of individual abstractions on other abstractors also has to be taken into account, as does their impact on sensitive features such as wetlands, rivers and springs. Schlumberger Water Services has undertaken projects covering all aspects of abstraction licensing, from the assessment of the impact of individual abstractions, to the development of suitable methodologies for the regulation of abstraction and allocation of water resources. It is always important to understand the local legal context to abstraction licensing, and our international experience enables us to compare best practice from many different countries.
Project Examples:
| Title: |
Impacts of dewatering
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
Environment Agency |
| Description: |
New legislation came into force in 2003 in England and Wales, which removed the exemption from abstraction licensing previously enjoyed by dewatering operations in mines and quarries. Schlumberger Water Services was commissioned by the Environment Agency to develop a flexible and robust methodology for the assessment of the hydrogeological and environmental impacts of dewatering abstractions. The methodology will become a key component of national guidance issued by the Environment Agency, applicable to all active dewatering operations.
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| Title: |
Burton aquifer resources
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
Environment Agency |
| Description: |
The primary aim of this project was to determine the sources of water and sustainable yield of the deep confined Triassic sandstone aquifer in the Burton district, which is an important source of water for the local brewing industry. A conceptual model of the Burton Groundwater Management Unit was developed through detailed analysis of geological, hydrological and hydrogeological data. A 3D time-variant, finite-difference (MODFLOW) numerical model of the area was constructed and used to further test the conceptual model. Conclusions were reached on the probable sources of water for the deep confined aquifer, the present impact of abstraction on water resources, and the future implications of further licensing of abstraction from the aquifer in terms of groundwater levels and quality. |
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| Title: |
Licence renewal
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
South Staffordshire Water |
| Description: |
An environmental report was prepared, including a hydrogeological impact assessment, to back up an application for renewal of a groundwater abstraction licence for a public water supply borehole. The abstraction is close to a sensitive Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the project specifically addressed the potential impact of the abstraction on the local water environment. |
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