Water Supply Boreholes Research Articles

Understanding regional groundwater flow using water-rock interaction processes and anthropic signatures in a fractured volcanic aquifer

This research evaluated the hydrochemistry of a fractured volcanic aquifer at Paraná 3 Basin, in the western region of the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. Geochemical rock data from the literature were used to describe the distinctive characteristics of the principal geological units in the area, Pitanga and Paranapanema Formations, both belonging to the Serra Geral Group. Data from x-ray diffraction were obtained to deepen the study of hydrogeochemical processes. Previous studies did not consider the differences in the lithogeochemistry of the group, in the terms contemplated in this research. In addition, the research also approaches the evaluation of the flow depth contribution in the groundwater chemistry and the analysis of hydrogeochemistry processes. For this analysis, a set of chemical data was utilized on 35 groundwater samples from water supply boreholes at Paraná 3 Basin. From shallow to deep flow, there was an increase in pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity and a decrease in CO2. These parameters exert the main physical-chemical groundwater controls, which are identified by changes in the major ions along the flow lines, as well as by variations in trace elements. The water-rock interaction becomes increasingly evident in the intermediate and deep flows, standing the higher alkalinity, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and most of the trace elements at Pitanga Formation. Pitanga Formation presents higher medians of alkalinity (95.5 mg.L-1), electrical conductivity (225 μS.cm-1) and TDS (140.0 mg.L-1) than Paranapanema Formation (57.0 mg.L-1; 130 μS.cm-1 and 90.0 mg.L-1, respectively). Furthermore, the pH distribution shows greater values starting at the 60% percentile in Pitanga Formation (8.24), compared to Paranapanema (8.10). Despite such differences, it was not possible to distinguish the geological units with the hydrochemical characterization, probably because both units are mainly represented by rocks of basic composition, with a similar mineralogical basis. The shallow hydrogeochemical processes are characterized by the weathering of Fe–Mg silicates and plagioclase, changing to a predominance of ion exchange in deeper flows. Calcite precipitation is a secondary process, associated with calcium consumption towards deeper flows. Anthropic influences are mainly observed with more elevated concentrations of NO3-, PO43-, Cl- and K+, occurring in the entire basin, and they are strongly evidenced by the correlation between Cl- and NO3- in most samples.

It is not boring in Barnoldswick! The case of the Barnoldswick water supply borehole in northern England, and what should, could, and has been done to celebrate the borehole core

The importance of borehole cores and the geological insights which they provide are often underappreciated. Here the problems of seeking a water supply for an industrial town in Northern England have resulted in a very rare opportunity to view a core in the public domain. As we need to raise the profile of the geosciences and ensure a public understanding of the importance of geology in underpinning our society we should seek other opportunities to highlight history and importance of borehole drilling and the cores recovered.

Design of a Spatial Information System for the Management of Drinking Water Supply Boreholes in the Departments of Yamoussoukro and Toumodi (Central Cote d’Ivoire)

Drinking water is an indispensable commodity for the life and development of the community. Despite the efforts made by the Ivorian government, much remains to be done to relieve the population. The satisfaction of such a need requires detailed and reliable information on the availability of groundwater. This study aims to design a database to manage the drinking water supply projects of the departments of Yamoussoukro and Toumodi from boreholes. The methodological approach used in this study is that of a relational database combining attribute and spatial data. The result of this work is a user-friendly interface that facilitates consultation and data entry on the boreholes. Spatial and statistical analyses show an uneven distribution of boreholes throughout the study area. Furthermore, all the boreholes in these two departments have flow rates classified as low and the most productive alteration thicknesses are between 15 and 30 m. The optimal depth of drilling in this area can be defined between 60 and 90 m. Finally, it appears from this analysis that, among all the lithological formations in these departments, the shales are the most productive. This database constitutes a real decision support tool for managers for the planning and evaluation of drilling.

True 2-D Resistivity Imaging from Vertical Electrical Soundings to Support More Sustainable Rural Water Supply Borehole Siting in Malawi

To improve borehole siting for rural water supply, an advanced resistivity method was adapted for developing country use and demonstrated in Malawi. The method was designed to be low cost, developing-country accessible, efficient. It allows single or multiple operators to acquire the multiple vertical electrical soundings (VESs) required that are inverted together in 2-D, to give a true cross-section of subsurface resistivity. Application at four sites generated true cross-sections of subsurface resistivity to around 100 m depth relevant to groundwater-resource investigation. A wide range of (hydro)geological features was identified, including fractured/weathered basement, gneiss domes, well-developed fault zones and several types of deltaic deposits. Imaging performance appears comparable to that of 2-D surface ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) that uses more expensive equipment, often unaffordable in developing countries. Based on the subsurface configurations determined and hydrogeological conceptualisation subsequently undertaken, the local aquifer potential could be evaluated, thereby providing a decision-making basis for future borehole siting at the sites surveyed. The technology is far superior to conventional 1-D VES, electromagnetic profiling or magnetic profiling currently used for borehole siting in Malawi. Technology adoption currently under consideration nationally would make use of existing VES capacity and permit much improved targeting of aquifer resource, more sustainable siting of boreholes and greater future resilience of Malawi’s rural water-supply infrastructure.

Environmental risk assessment of the intake of contaminants in aquifers in the vicinity of a reclaimed waste dumpsite in Owerri municipal, Southeastern Nigeria

The study investigated groundwater sources within reclaimed municipal waste dumpsites around Akachi road in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. The research evaluated the pollution and risk inherent in the consumption of groundwater in the vicinity of the reclaimed waste dumpsite using standard procedures. Results showed acidic pH values for some groundwater samples within the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Elevated nitrate (NO3−), aluminium (Al) and chromium (Cr) concentrations above the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for drinking water samples were recorded in some of the groundwater samples from the study area. The observed strong positive correlations between the metallic contaminants indicated that the distribution of the pollutants has a strong relationship with organic contaminants in the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Low contamination factor was exhibited by all metals for the individual samples except for Cr in sample A and Al in sample A and D. The pollution load index for all the samples was low, except for sample C with a pollution load index of unity. Elevated hazard quotient > 1 and hazard index > 1 were observed for both adults and children due to high Cr levels. The chronic daily intake risk assessment revealed values < 1, while carcinogenic risk values greater than 10−6 and 10−4 were observed for the samples suggesting potential health risk for children and adults. The water quality index of samples from the reclaimed waste dumpsite calls for concern due to elevated levels of Al and Cr. These findings, therefore, suggest the need to treat the groundwater from the reclaimed dumpsite before consumption to avert serious health risks. Finally, waste dumpsites should be remediated or allow to undergo natural remediation before reclamation, erecting residential structures, and sinking of boreholes for water supply within such areas.

Evidence of layered piezometry system within the Chalk aquifer in parts of SE England

The Chalk aquifer is often considered as a single, homogeneous, isotropic groundwater system in regional groundwater management studies, even though it has been subdivided into several different lithostratigraphic units. Low-permeability layers, including marl bands and hardgrounds, extend on a regional scale and define different layers within the Chalk. Four case studies in different locations of the Chalk aquifer of SE England are presented: (1) a multi-level observation borehole in the Upper Colne catchment in Hertfordshire; (2) different water levels in shallow and deep boreholes in the River Ver catchment; (3) artesian conditions and rises in the groundwater level during drilling in the Chiltern Hills; and (4) groundwater level separation in a public water supply borehole in Kent. The evidence clearly shows a layered system in the Chalk and vertical hydraulic discontinuity within the studied sequences. The current conceptual model of the Chalk aquifer should be enhanced to include this new understanding and to update the existing numerical groundwater models. This will, in turn, increase confidence in the current decision support tools for environmental sustainability and the management of water resources in the Chalk aquifer.

Evaluation of groundwater potential of bedrock aquifers in Geological Sheet 223 Ilorin, Nigeria, using geo-electric sounding

Electrical resistivity data acquired in one hundred and ten (110) locations using vertical electrical sounding method of Schlumberger array have been used to study the hydrogeological properties and groundwater storage potential of bedrock aquifers in an area covered by Geological Sheet 223 Ilorin, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to identify productive aquifer zones for citing boreholes for community water supply. The data acquired were processed and interpreted using auxiliary curve matching and computer automation method to delineate the different geo-electric layers, their resistivities, thicknesses, and depths. Geo-electrical layers were interpreted to their equivalent geological layers using borehole lithological logs from the study area. Then, the hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, fracture contrast, reflection coefficient were estimated and plotted in the form of 2D maps to describe the spatial variations of these parameters in the area. The results of the study revealed the presence of three to five geo-electric layers. The geo-electric layers, from top to the bottom, corresponds to the topsoil layer, lateritic layer, weathered rock layer, fractured rock layer, and the fresh basement rock. Lateritic and/or fractured rock layers were not delineated in some places. The weathered and fractured rock layers, where present, correspond to the aquifer units. The thickness of the fracture aquifer ranges from 0.6 to 33.6 m while the thickness of the weathered aquifer ranges from 1.4 to 49.3 m. The transmissivity, T , and hydraulic conductivity, K , range from 3 to 1200 m2/day and 1 to 48 m/day, respectively. The reflection coefficient and fracture contrast map showed the presence of water-bearing fractures and shared some similarities with T and K maps. A mathematical model for predicting groundwater potential, {text{GW}}_{text{P}} , of weathered aquifer in the basement complex terrain was proposed in this study. The consistencies between the overall groundwater potential map and aquifers parameters distributions maps suggest the appropriateness of the proposed mathematical model for predicting groundwater potential of weathered rock in the basement complex area of Nigeria. The western, northwestern, and central parts of the study area, having {text{GW}}_{text{P}} greater than 0.6 (60%), were recommended for groundwater development through boreholes drilled to a depth ranging between 75 and 100 m.

Geogenic influence and impact of mining activities on water soil and plants in surrounding areas of Morila Mine, Mali

The Morila Gold mine, a joint venture between AngloGold Ashanti and Randgold Resources, is one of the 10 operating mines in Mali. The mine is located at 180 km southeast of Bamako, Mali, and has been operating since 2001. With the depletion of the orebody, a closure plan was established by the government and shareholders since 2012, and rehabilitation strategies are currently operating. The concentration of major, minor and traces elements were analyzed in 90 water samples (45 water supply boreholes, 13 shallow wells, 20 piezometers of the mine and 12 surface water), 46 stream sediment samples, 10 mine soil samples and 57 plant samples. All the samples were collected from June 2015 to December 2016 in three study areas: Morila mine, an intermittent stream at downstream of the mine and a controlled geochemical background area free of mining activities (located 15 to 20 km upstream of the mine). Chemical water analyses show that arsenic (As: 0.8 to 132 ppb), manganese (Mn: 2.52 to 5200 ppb) and total iron (Fe: 0.462 to 78 ppm) are present at high levels. The ANOVA tests demonstrate significant differences between the three sites for most major ions and trace metals in water, stream sediments and mine soils. The mean concentrations within the mine were significantly higher than those outside mine boundaries. Factor analysis and cluster analysis show a geogenic and pollution factors influencing the soils and the water quality in the study area.Arsenic values were mostly found in groundwater of the village of Sanso (the nearest village to the Morila mine), where 7 of the 10 sources of drinking water boreholes had arsenic contents higher than the standard value of 10 ppb. This arsenic contamination in groundwater and those located in background area could not be linked to mining activities, and attributed to geogenic influences.In stream sediments and soil samples, the values of the analyzed elements were ranged bellow the maximum allowed concentration except for As, Fe, Al and S. Mine soils have high Fe (~10 wt%) and high Al (~3 wt%) concentrations, likely derived from naturally sources. Sulfur contents in soil and stream sediments were high only in the mining environment, and derive from sulfide mineral oxidation. Arsenic contents were elevated in most plant species samples, and concentrations of samples located within the mine were higher than those of the background area. This study indicates that most of the metals and toxic contaminations were from geogenic origin, but mining activities likely also play a substantial role by increasing the level of these contaminants in water, soil and plants within the mining environment.

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY SURVEY FOR GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL AND ESTIMATION OF CLAY DEPOSIT IN ARAGBA-OKPE, OKPE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE NIGERIA

Electrical resistivity survey employing Vertical Electrical Sounding techniques of Schlumberger arrangement were carried out at seven (7) fairly distributed stations with 154 Vertical Electrical Soundings in Aragba-Okpe. The data obtained from the field were plotted on a log-log graph and interpreted qualitatively by inspection and quantitatively by partial curve matching. The results obtained were improved with the aid of computer iteration using the Winresist Software to delineate the thickness and depth of each layers as well as the resistivity value. These layers were grouped together in to geologic depth intervals known as the Geoelectric sections for interpretations. Using knowledge of both the local geology of Aragba-Okpe and the resistivity of the layers, the Geoelectric sections were interpreted. The study revealed that boreholes for sustainable water supply could be drilled to a depth of 30 m in Aragba-Okpe, However, the fifth layer within Aragba Primary School, Aragba Secondary School and Oviri Aragba Road (VES 1, 5 and 7) are the best locations for sustainable water supply&#x0D; The overburden protective capacities of the aquifer in Aragba-Okpe were evaluated using the Dar-zarrouk parameters. The result also revealed poor aquifer protection ratings of less than 0.1 in all the stations. The groundwater in Aragba-Okpe is therefore not protected and prone to contamination in the event of pollution.

The use of Electromagnetic and Vertical Electrical Sounding Methods in Groundwater Exploration.

Electromagnetic (EM) profiling and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) studies were carried out for groundwater exploration in the Twifo – Hemang Lower Denkyira Districts of Ghana. These two geophysical methods were used for exploring the groundwater potentials beneath Achiase, Mbaa Mpe Hia Community and Moseaso Community. This paper seeks to encourage the use of inversion for interpreting electromagnetic data rather than the usual qualitative interpretation method using line graphs and also the use of apparent resistivity maps as 2D pseudo resistivity maps to support interpretations of the 1D inversion results (in cases where the available budget could not permit 2D and or 3D inversion). These would help in enhancement of obtained results, reduce ambiguity and help decision making. The EM results revealed that; the three communities are underlain by two layers with the first layer having the thickness range between 2 to 10 m and the second layer is a half space. The results from VES studies indicate that; Achiase Community and Mbaa Mpe Hia No. 2 community are underlain by three geoelectrical layers and Moseaso Community is underlain by four geoelectrical layers. On the basis of this study the Moseaso Community is ranked highest in terms of groundwater potential followed by the Achiase community and finally the Mbaa Mpe Hia No.2 Community. Several sites were recommended for drilling boreholes for water supply in these communities.

Urban groundwater use in Tropical Africa – a key factor in enhancing water security?

Abstract A regional scoping study has reviewed the limited data on groundwater use for 10 cities in Tropical Africa. In those cities where the water utility has been able to develop groundwater rationally, the public water-supply usually offers a better service at lower cost by enabling phased investment and avoiding advanced treatment, and offers greater water-source security in drought and from pollution. Urban dwellers obtain water from multiple sources, according to availability and affordability. Among the more affluent, private water-supply boreholes are increasingly used to improve security and reduce cost but in the absence of international charity finance groundwater access is beyond the financial reach of the urban poor, except where the water table is shallow allowing the use of low-cost dugwells. The way forward must be to integrate more effectively utility and private investments, and piped and non-piped solutions, for urban water-supply provision, and for water utilities to establish low-income (‘pro-poor’) policy and technical units to pursue ways of supporting alternative water-supply provision, including advisory services and regulatory functions (where appropriate) for private borehole and dugwell use. To facilitate this, water utilities will need to partner with resource regulators and knowledge centres, which may require modifications to their mandate.

Co-production as deep engagement

PurposeWhile there is an urgent need for clean water in Ghana and Nigeria, governments lack the financial means to do much to address this need. This does not mean that improving access to clean water is impossible. On the contrary, this paper argued that engaging citizens through co-production, as is already being done in developed countries in the fields of care-giving, waste management, healthcare and community policing, could provide a successful strategy. The purpose of this paper is to examine how public water facilities are being managed to improve and sustain access to clean water for domestic use in rural areas in Ghana and Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA survey interview with households and in-depth interviews with water professionals were conducted in Ghana and Nigeria to help the authors understand the practicalities of the co-production of clean water and how this is improving and maintaining access to clean water sources. The paper draws on a philosophical framework of “deep” citizen engagement to describe the merits of co-production and how it works in practice in developing countries.FindingsBased on the interviews with officials and surveys among the population of rural areas in the two countries studied, the authors found that the two countries vary significantly in their approach to water management decisions and the extent to which citizens are involved. Ghana’s approach seems much more successful than Nigeria when it comes to maintaining boreholes for water supply with the help of the population. In Nigeria, three-quarters of the public water facilities are non-functional, while in Ghana, community involvement in maintaining public water facilities has resulted in the sustained use of boreholes and eliminated the lack of access to clean water in many communities.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the practical understanding of co-production in developing countries and the potential of such co-production in improving clean water access. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous scientific research has studied how co-production can improve and sustain access specifically to clean water sources in developing countries, and this paper aimed to fill this gap.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH FOR GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE DETERMINATION IN THE REGION OF SOUTH MESOGHEIA (ATTICA)

During the last years the broader area of Koropi (Mesogheia-Greece), has faced rapidly increasing problems concerning irrigation and watering of the town, due to the brackish water in the water supply boreholes. Our main target is to determinate the subsurface geological structure of the study area, located NE of the Koropi city, where alterations of schists and carbonates, from three different post-alpine units, mainly appear and relate it with the groundwater flow paths. The dominant geological outcrops of the area are the Athenian Schist (Laurion-Attica Unit), the dolomitic marbles (Vari-Kirou Pira Unit) and the Lower Marble (Hymittos Unit). A geophysical research was carried out in the area mainly based on the geoelectrical methodology, including by executing fifteen Vertical Electrical Soundings and one Electrical Resistivity Tomography. The interpretation results of the geophysical data have been evaluated and combined with “in-situ” resistivity measurements and calibrated with cores coming from drilled boreholes revealing the area. Through this combining process important elements of the local geological subsurface structure have been determined, as the formation of the dolomitic marbles (massive or karstified) was found tilting southwards beneath the Athenian Schist. From a hydrogeological point of view, this alone adds a significant parameter to the subsurface geological structure which is highly related to the groundwater flow that is responsible for many problems and could be used for solving many others.

Preliminary Geochemical and Isotopic Results in Thermal and Cold Waters of Graciosa Volcanic Island (Azores)

Graciosa Island is located in the Azores Archipelago, along the so-called Terceira Rift, NE boundary of the Azores Plateau. From the hydrochemical point of view, two types of Na-Cl groundwater systems were identified: a cold aquifer system emerging at springs and exploited through boreholes for public water supply with different degrees of mineralization, and a hydrothermal system with issuing temperatures around 45°C. Geothermometers applied to the thermal waters point to deep temperature around 167°C and to immature waters, not reaching complete equilibrium with the reservoir rock. The isotopic composition and geochemistry of the thermal waters indicate mixture groundwater - seawater in different percentages and ion-exchange mechanisms that will be able to: i) increase groundwater salinity, ii) strongly change the isotopic composition to more enriched values, with different degrees of mixing.

Sustainability assessment of electrokinetic bioremediation compared with alternative remediation options for a petroleum release site

Sustainable management practices can be applied to the remediation of contaminated land to maximise the economic, environmental and social benefits of the process. The Sustainable Remediation Forum UK (SuRF-UK) have developed a framework to support the implementation of sustainable practices within contaminated land management and decision making. This study applies the framework, including qualitative (Tier 1) and semi-quantitative (Tier 2) sustainability assessments, to a complex site where the principal contaminant source is unleaded gasoline, giving rise to a dissolved phase BTEX and MTBE plume. The pathway is groundwater migration through a chalk aquifer and the receptor is a water supply borehole. A hydraulic containment system (HCS) has been installed to manage the MTBE plume migration. The options considered to remediate the MTBE source include monitored natural attenuation (MNA), air sparging/soil vapour extraction (AS/SVE), pump and treat (PT) and electrokinetic-enhanced bioremediation (EK-BIO). A sustainability indictor set from the SuRF-UK framework, including priority indicator categories selected during a stakeholder engagement workshop, was used to frame the assessments. At Tier 1 the options are ranked based on qualitative supporting information, whereas in Tier 2 a multi-criteria analysis is applied. Furthermore, the multi-criteria analysis was refined for scenarios where photovoltaics (PVs) are included and amendments are excluded from the EK-BIO option. Overall, the analysis identified AS/SVE and EK-BIO as more sustainable remediation options at this site than either PT or MNA. The wider implications of this study include: (1) an appraisal of the management decision from each Tier of the assessment with the aim to highlight areas for time and cost savings for similar assessments in the future; (2) the observation that EK-BIO performed well against key indicator categories compared to the other intensive treatments; and (3) introducing methods to improve the sustainability of the EK-BIO treatment design (such as PVs) did not have a significant effect in this instance.

Gana’da bazı topluluklarında elektromanyetik ve elektrik rezistivite yöntemlerle kullunılarak yeraltı su kaynakları araştırması

The electromagnetic profiling and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data were acquired from some communities in the Twifo – Hemang Lower Denkyira District of the Central region of Ghana, in order to determine zones of high groundwater potentials and to recommend suitable sites to drill boreholes for community water supply. The research reported here covered three communities namely; Esukese Ekyire, Kwanyarko. First the electromagnetic measurements were carried out, qualitative interpretations of the data were carried out and weathered rock zones were identified. Then the VES measurements using Schlumberger array were conducted at points on the electromagnetic traverse that displayed weathered zones. ZONDIP1D software was used in creating 1D sounding curve models of geological subsurface structures beneath the sounding points. Results of the modelling suggest that the communities are underlain by three to four geological layers. Interpretations of the 1D inversion of the VES data provide the resistivities and thicknesses of subsurface layers. On the basis of resistivity values and thicknesses of the layers in the 1D models, sites were recommended to drill boreholes for community water supply.

Lessons Learned About the Nature of Groundwater Contamination by PAHs: A Case History-Based Discussion

Observations taken during the investigation and remediation of a water supply borehole contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are used to discuss how existing methods can define such contamination. In this example, the PAH originated from carbon black used in a manufacturing process. The extent of the contamination was investigated and the flow path for the pollutants to enter the borehole identified. Two attempts were made to destroy the contaminants using hydrogen peroxide following different procedures. The observations made during the investigations, treatment, and sampling results are reviewed to determine possible explanations for the observed behavior and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment methods with the benefits of hindsight. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aspects of water well design and construction in confined Chalk overlain by Basal Sands in the London Basin with particular reference to sand ingress

The Palaeocene Basal Sands of the London Basin are usually in hydraulic continuity with the underlying Cretaceous Chalk aquifer. They are a minor aquifer rarely utilized for water supply. Instead, production wells are completed in the Chalk aquifer, which provides the bulk of the water. The conventional well design is for cemented casing to extend into the top few metres of the Chalk, with the rest of the Chalk section below left unlined (open hole). Although this has generally proved to be successful, there have been occasions where failures have occurred owing to sand entering the wells from the Basal Sands. The pathways are not always evident, but can include fractures in the Chalk, damaged casings or poor grout seals. Setting casings deep into the Chalk does reduce the risk of sand ingress, but yields may be diminished. In some cases, screening of the Basal Sands and the very top part of the Chalk has been used as an alternative. Detailed data from geological and geophysical logs can greatly assist in the design process, and the risk of sand ingress can be reduced by following good drilling and construction practice and ensuring that casings have been properly grouted. In this paper the terms wells, production wells, boreholes and water supply boreholes are used interchangeably.

Lessons Learned About the Nature of Groundwater Contamination by PAHs: A Case History–Based Discussion

AbstractObservations taken during the investigation and remediation of a water supply borehole contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are used to discuss how existing methods can define such contamination. In this example, the PAH originated from carbon black used in a manufacturing process. The extent of the contamination was investigated and the flow path for the pollutants to enter the borehole identified. Two attempts were made to destroy the contaminants using hydrogen peroxide following different procedures. The observations made during the investigations, treatment, and sampling results are reviewed to determine possible explanations for the observed behavior and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment methods with the benefits of hindsight. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Groundwater as a military resource: development of Royal Engineers Boring Sections and British military hydrogeology in World War II

Abstract To drill boreholes for water supply, the Royal Engineers raised ten ‘Boring Sections’ between September 1939 and May 1943, eight in the UK, two in Egypt. While supporting campaigns in World War II, two deployed briefly to France, seven served widely within the Middle East (one of these in Iraq and Iran and later Malta, the others mostly operating from Egypt), one deployed to Algeria/Tunisia, four to Sicily and/or Italy (one of these onward to Greece), two deployed to support the D-Day Allied landings in Normandy and the subsequent advance via Belgium to Germany, and three served long-term in the UK. Greatest use was by Middle East Command, which at its peak had about 35 officers, 750 men and 40 drilling rigs assigned to water supply, and whose boreholes attained a cumulative length of some 40 km. The British Army used geology to help guide emplacement of boreholes in all these regions. Innovations included groundwater prospect maps at scales of 1:50 000 and 1:250 000, to help planning for the Allied invasion of Normandy and the subsequent campaign in NW Europe. Geology also helped guide groundwater abstraction by Indian Engineers in the Far East, and British/South African troops in East Africa.