Hydrogeological assessments for water boreholes
A hydrogeological assessment tells you what's under your site before you pay for a drilling rig: the geology, the depth to water, how much water to expect, its likely quality, and the permits you'll need. It's the cheapest stage of any borehole project, and the one that protects the rest of the budget.
Why assess before drilling
A drilling rig costs the same whether it finds water or not. Without an assessment, the depth, diameter and position of a borehole are guesswork, and a dry or poor-quality borehole is money you don't get back. An assessment also gives your driller a clear design to price against, so quotes are comparable and accurate.
What the assessment covers
-
Expected geology beneath the site and a predicted borehole log
-
Target aquifer and expected depth to water
-
Likely yield, from aquifer properties and nearby borehole records
-
Expected water quality (for example hardness, iron, manganese, nitrate) and likely treatment
-
Drilling risks and contamination hazards near the site
-
Outline borehole design: depth, diameter, casing, grouting and screen
-
Regulatory requirements: abstraction licensing, consent to investigate, private water supply registration and BGS notification
Two levels of assessment
Up to 20 m³/day
Homes, holiday lets, small farms, livestock, gardens
Standard assessment; normally no abstraction licence needed in England
£775 + VAT
Over 20 m³/day
Irrigation, industry, food production, open loop heating and cooling
Adds a wider geological and hydrogeological review of whether the aquifer can support the larger abstraction, plus licensing advice
£1,350 + VAT
Both can be ordered online at Water Borehole Assessments, our dedicated ordering service. For complex sites, open loop schemes or very large abstractions, email us for a tailored quote.
When you need more than a desk study
For larger abstractions, the assessment is usually the first step towards a licence. We can then manage the rest of the process: consent to investigate, water features survey, drilling supervision, test pumping and a hydrogeological impact assessment. See our Abstraction Licence Applications page.
Who prepares it
Every assessment is prepared and checked by our own team, led by principal hydrogeologist Stephen Cresswell (MSc Hydrogeology) and principal geologist Lawrence Scott. We draw on British Geological Survey records, aquifer data, regulator datasets and our own project experience.
To see an example report or request a quote, email info@aquifer.energy.