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ABSTRACTObservation boreholes are used to assess the degree of exploitation of aquifers, but if the borehole is open over a considerable depth of the aquifer the results may be misleading. The need for individual shallow and deep boreholes is illustrated by case studies of an alluvial aquifer. An examination of groundwater heads in deep and shallow boreholes in the Bromsgrove Sandstone aquifer demonstrates that deep boreholes respond mainly to the abstraction but a shallow borehole reflects the overall response of the aquifer.

The groundwater resources of the Lee Valley Water Company have been examined in a joint study with the University of Birmingham. The Company is modifying its operating policy to make maximum use of the groundwater resources, which has involved the development of new methods of estimating the reliable output of the groundwater sources under differing conditions. The technology transfer involved in the project has enabled the Company to gain a greater understanding of the operation of its sources, and the University has modified existing techniques so that they are of greater practical use.

ABSTRACTThe Southern Lincolnshire Limestone is an important groundwater resource; however, for many years water has been lost from the aquifer system through uncontrolled artesian flow from wild‐bores in the Fenland area. During 1991–92, there was an extensive programme of sealing or controlling the wild‐bores, and compensation flows for ecological and farming purposes were provided at some sites.This paper describes a field study which was designed to identify the important features of part of the catchment; this was followed by the development of an existing groundwater model to provide an improved representation of the uncontrolled and controlled wild‐bores. The model is used to assess the consequences of controlling or sealing the wild‐bores.

ABSTRACTGroundwater resources of Chalk aquifers may become depleted during drought periods; major causes of this depletion include reductions in the aquifer transmissivity and the interaction between aquifers and rivers. In the East Kent aquifer there are certain catchments where difficulties are encountered in maintaining yields but, in other catchments, drought periods have little effect on the available resources. A mathematical model is developed to help understand the flow processes within the aquifer system, and the model is used to predict the consequences of possible abstraction scenarios.

AbstractDetailed metering trials together with a survey of property type, household size, and appliance ownership have provided an opportunity to study domestic demand in detail. The data are presented in a number of alternative ways to highlight the relationship between demand and features of the individual households. The uncertainties inherent in using small samples to estimate demands for an area are discussed, and the usefulness of ACORN classifications to characterize an area is examined.

SYNOPSISThis study considers the groundwater conditions for the period 1948–82 in the Permo‐Triassic Sandstone aquifer of the Liverpool area. During this period, significant changes have occurred in the abstraction patterns and a new railway tunnel has been constructed below sea level in Central Liverpool. To understand the flow conditions within the aquifer, detailed studies have been carried out into the aquifer properties, the influence of rivers and tunnels, and the estimation of recharge. It is found that conventional rainfall recharge accounts for only one‐third of the total recharge.Numerical model solutions were used to check the adequacy of the understanding of the flow processes and the solutions have confirmed that the rising water levels in Central Liverpool result from high recharge and a reduction in abstraction. Having validated the model by comparisons with field data, the model was then used to predict the probable future water level changes.