Groundwater Science

What is the activity?

Groundwater Science is a programme of research led by the British Geological Survey, in partnership with others (see below).

The aim is to

• provide an improved understanding and characterisation of groundwater systems and their interaction with the natural environment
• investigate and forecast the impacts of a changing environment on groundwater and on other parts of the environment that are dependent on groundwater such as rivers and wetlands
• make hydrogeological knowledge and information more widely available to improve the ability to protect and manage groundwater and associated ecosystem services, support decision making and inform policy, planning and regulation.

See story on LWEC website.

What will the programme do?

The programme will investigate

1. Natural groundwater chemistry, levels, flows and ecology

To provide a baseline against which the impacts of pollution, climate change and the multiple demands on groundwater can be measured.

Consistent monitoring will allow hydrological trends to be identified, their implications considered and the effectiveness of protection measures assessed.This work will contribute to the Demonstration Test Catchments programme.
 
Financial support for the production of monthly Hydrological Summaries of the UK is provided by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Rivers Agency (Northern Ireland), and Ofwat.

The British Geological Survey is also working with Roehampton University to carry out the first large-scale systematic survey of groundwater ecology in the UK.

2. Impacts of a changing climate on the water environment

The aim is to improve the ability to model and simulate the impact of a changing climate on groundwater, both in terms of long-term changes and also as a result of increased occurrence of extreme events.

Working with Imperial College, University College London and Reading University, the British Geological Survey is developing the underlying science and innovative methods for the modelling of hydrological response to climate variability as part of the Changing Water Cycle research initiative.

Collaborative research is also being carried out with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Water Industry Research, the Environment Agency and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, to examine the impact of climate change on groundwater levels in the major aquifers of England and Wales.

This will provide consistent and accessible tools specifically designed to support adaption to climate change, for improved water resource management and regulatory decision making.

3. Groundwater resilience in developing countries

International work involves sustainable management and protection of groundwater and vital ecosystem services in developing countries. For example the British Geological Survey is currently working with the Department for International Development to improve understanding of the resilience of African groundwater to climate change and links to livelihoods.

The project will develop policy recommendations for assessing how groundwater can support adaptation and build resilience to environmental change.

Expected outputs

• Regular advice to the environmental regulators, such as the  Department for Communities and Local Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, devolved governments and local authorities, on groundwater issues ranging from water resource management, groundwater protection, groundwater flooding, contaminated land remediation and risk assessment to support policy development and implementation.
• Advice to the European Commission and UK Government (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on implementation of, and revision to, the Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive through participation in EU Expert Working Groups and as co-chair of European Commission drafting groups.
• Contributions to external steering groups and advisory panels on issues related to groundwater management and protection (e.g. Hydrosciences Research Association, UK Committee for National and International Hydrology, Groundwater Forum, EC Groundwater Working Group, Geological Society Hydrogeology Group and Better Thames Knowledge Exchange Network.
• Drought resilience in Africa: Case study research reports; briefing papers with a synthesis of research findings and policy recommendations; groundwater responsiveness map for Africa and collation of existing relevant groundwater information (working with Overseas Development Institute, Department for International Development, WaterAid and other partners, and in African countries). The outputs and maps will be available via the internet and be accompanied by easy-to-use instructions and summaries for non-expert users in government departments and ministries of developing countries
• Assessment of potential impact of climate change on water resources - all time series (river flow and groundwater levels) simulation from regional climate mode) transient climate runs will be made available from the British Geological Society website and downloadable. 
• Digital hydrogeological maps to be made available on line through British Geological Society web pages. Large scale maps will be available to view free of charge and be accompanied by user guides.
• Hydrological extremes and feedbacks in the changing water cycle: evidence on how uncertainty and error in climate models affects the usefulness of (water environment) impact analysis; improved predictability of weather extremes for hydrological analysis; meta-data base and software/open-source modelling code provided via the NERC Changing Water Cycle website; peer reviewed journal papers. 
• Monthly water situation reports for the UK identifying the current status and trends in groundwater resources - http://www.bgs.ac.uk/data/waterwatch.html
• Maps and associated models of predicted water table nitrate concentrations over time resulting from the movement of residual agriculturally-derived nitrate in the unsaturated zone.

Who will benefit?

The activity will

• Contribute to revisions to the Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive regarding improvements in the risk-based approach to groundwater and ecosystem protection and establishment of quality standards. Monitoring results, baseline studies and outcomes of research will be used to inform inclusion of new and revised groundwater quality standards and thresholds in the Directives. 
• Better management of groundwater resources and a more consistent water industry/regulatory approach to adapting to climate change. Through development and application of models to predict responses of groundwater levels and flows to future climate scenarios and increased availability of data, e.g. hydrogeological maps.
• Greater awareness of groundwater as part of the water cycle, its role and the threats to groundwater. Increased inclusion of groundwater in the educational curriculum at all ages. Preparation of learning materials promoted through the Groundwater Forum. 
• Hydrological extremes and feedbacks in the changing water cycle: 1) improved quantification of future variability and extremes of precipitation and evaporation over hydrologically relevant scales (days and weeks)in the UK), 2) improved models of the hydrological water cycle response to extremes and 3) the improved inclusion of earth-atmosphere feedback processes in climate models. 
• Policy recommendations for developing countries in Africa to address climate change in development interventions (e.g. in rural water supply programmes, irrigation development) and resource planning; and for donor agencies supporting water resources and climate change adaptation in Africa.

PROGRAMME FACTS AND FIGURES

Start and end dates: 01/04/2007 to 31/03/2014

Other partners involved are:
UK Water Industry Research
Imperial College
Reading University
University College London
Roehampton University
Overseas Development Institute
Water Aid

Website: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/research/groundwater/home.html