Hydrofracturing water boreholes in hard rock aquifers in Scotland

Abstract

Hydrofracturing of new public water supply boreholes in Precambrian crystalline bedrock in Scotland has increased borehole yields by at least one order of magnitude, and made the difference between borehole abandonment and success. In many upland rural areas of the UK, low-productivity aquifers are an important resource for small public water supplies. Where a borehole in low-productivity crystalline rocks proves too low yielding for its designed purpose, hydrofracturing is a cost-effective means of enhancing yield.