Water source protection zones
When GEL submitted their ‘Request for Screening Opinion’ , which would determine whether they needed to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), they made the following statement:
“There are no significant water features, water source protection zones or abstraction points present on site or within the immediate surrounding area.”
This is pure and simple a misstatement - i.e. it is wrong. The facts as recorded in two key studies - the Geoenvironmental Desk Study and the Groundsure Report, make it clear that this is wrong.
The Geoenvironmental Desk Study points out:
24 Groundwater Abstraction Records within 2000m (page 38)
There are 4 Surface Water Abstraction Records within 2000m (page 44)
2 Potable Abstraction Records within 2000m (page 45)
9 Water Network Records within 250m (page 47)
5 Surface Water Features Records within 250m (page 48)
1 Water Framework Directive (WFD) Surface Water Body Catchment record (page 49)
1 Groundwater Body Record (page 49)
The Groundsure Report points out the following:
A Bedrock Aquifer is on site (“Permeable layers capable of supporting water supplies at a local rather than strategic scale, and in some cases forming an important source of base flow to rivers…”)(page 34)
Groundwater Vulnerability has been identified on site, the summary classification for which is “high” (“High - Areas able to easily transmit pollution to groundwater. They are likely to be characterised by high leaching soils and the absence of low permeability superficial deposits.”) (page 36)
There is a Water Framework Directive catchment on site (re River Camel SAC catchment) (page 49 )
There is a Water Framework Directive Groundwater Body on site (page 49).
What are aquifers?
A bedrock aquifer is a subsurface layer of fractured or porous rock that stores groundwater. These are crucial sources of fresh water for drinking and agriculture. Industrial activities that penetrate bedrock aquifers can pose significant environmental risks.
🌍 Why are bedrock aquifers important?
Reliable Water Supply: Bedrock aquifers often provide a consistent and clean source of groundwater, essential for communities and ecosystems.
Natural Filtration: As water percolates through soil and rock layers, bedrock aquifers can filter out impurities, enhancing water quality.
Ecosystem Support: These aquifers help maintain base flows in rivers and wetlands, supporting biodiversity and ecological balance.
⚠️ Environmental Risks of Industrial Penetration
Contamination: Industrial activities, such as mining or drilling, can introduce pollutants like heavy metals or chemicals into aquifers. Once contaminated, it is very difficult to clean up.
Altered Hydrology: Penetrating bedrock can change the natural flow of groundwater, potentially leading to reduced water availability or quality in connected ecosystems.
Reduced Recharge: Surface disturbances may impede the natural recharge of aquifers, diminishing their capacity over time.
Structural Damage: Activities like fracking can create fractures beyond intended zones, increasing the risk of unintended contamination pathways.
Given these risks, it's vital to conduct thorough environmental assessments before initiating industrial projects that may affect bedrock aquifers.
In Summary:
The geothermal water is toxic, full of heavy metals, and if it ever found it’s way into the river it would do damage, possibly irreversible.
Drilling through water aquifers that feed the Camel could release a pollutant direct to the river.
Drilling will produce thousands of tonnes of toxic slurry to deal with. There has been no methodology presented that is foolproof to prevent it to getting to the river.
The infiltration system GEL has designed is in our view not fit for purpose. It is a fraction of the size it would need to be to have any chance of operating effectively, but size is irrelevant when it’s design has no choice but to be constructed below the water table – it is doomed for failure.
The risk of polluting the river and having ‘Likely Significant Effects’ to the SAC and SSSI is extremely high.