Ground Investigation Consent (GIC)

Before you can drill and test pump a borehole that will abstract more than 20 m³ of water a day, the regulator must give you consent. In England this is the Environment Agency's consent to investigate a groundwater source, usually called a ground investigation consent or GIC. Aquifer Energy manages the whole process, from the first conversation with the regulator to the consent being issued, usually within 4 to 8 weeks

What a GIC allows

A ground investigation consent sets out:

where the borehole can be drilled, and the aquifer it can target
the depth and diameter it can be drilled to
the pumping test you must carry out, and how long it lasts
any monitoring of nearby wells, springs or watercourses during the test

It is the first formal step towards an abstraction licence. The results of the pumping test then support the licence application.

How we get your consent issued

Initial discussion with the Environment Agency, NRW or SEPA about the site, the volume you need and local water availability.
WR32 application describing the proposed borehole, the volumes and the test.
Water features survey of the area set by the regulator. See our Water Features Survey page.
Liaison with the regulator to answer questions and agree any monitoring.
Consent issued, allowing the borehole to be drilled and tested.

Typical timescale: 4 to 8 weeks from the first discussion to the consent being issued, depending on the regulator and how complex the site is.

After the consent

We can carry on through the rest of the licensing process: drilling supervision, test pumping design and supervision, the hydrogeological impact assessment and the full licence application. See Abstraction Licence Applications.

Who needs one

farms and growers planning irrigation or livestock boreholes over 20 m³/day
businesses needing process or cooling water
open loop ground source heat pump schemes
anyone increasing the volume taken from an existing borehole beyond what it's licensed for

To discuss a ground investigation consent or get a quote, email lawrence@aquifer.energy