Water Borehole Assessments
Hydrogeological assessments for water boreholes

Know what lies beneath before you drill.

A hydrogeological assessment written by experienced hydrogeologists tells you what geology you will drill through, how deep you need to go, how much water to expect, its likely quality and what regulatory steps apply. It's the cheapest stage of any borehole project and the one that protects the rest of your budget.

Order an assessment Compare assessments
<20 m³/dayfrom £775 + VAT
>20 m³/dayfrom £1,350 + VAT
UK-widedesk-based, no site visit needed
PROGNOSIS — ILLUSTRATIVEm bgl
Illustrative borehole log: topsoil, London Clay, Lambeth Group, Chalk aquifer below the rest water level, with grouted casing to 68 m and a slotted screen from 68 to 100 m 020406080100 Topsoil London Clay Rest water level Lambeth Group Chalk — principal aquifer Grouted casing to 68 m Slotted screen 68–100 m
Why assess before drilling

Drilling is the expensive part. Get the answers first.

A drilling rig on site costs the same whether it finds water or not. A borehole sunk without an assessment is a guess about geology, depth and yield, and a dry or poor-quality hole is money you don't get back.

Depth & geology

Drill to the right depth

We predict the sequence of strata beneath your site and the depth to the water-bearing formation, so your driller can quote accurately and you avoid drilling too shallow or paying for metres you don't need.

Yield

Know if it will deliver

We estimate the likely sustainable yield from local aquifer properties and nearby borehole records, and tell you whether your intended demand is realistic.

Water quality

Plan for treatment

Hardness, iron, manganese, nitrate and salinity vary with the aquifer. Knowing what to expect lets you budget for treatment before the borehole is drilled.

Construction

A design your driller can follow

Recommended casing depth, grouting, screen interval and diameter, so the borehole seals out surface contamination and lasts for decades.

Regulation

Stay on the right side of the rules

Above 20 m³/day, you need Environment Agency consent before drilling and test pumping, then an abstraction licence. We set out exactly what applies to your site.

Constraints

Spot the risks early

Source Protection Zones, nearby licensed abstractions, protected rivers and wetlands, and drilling hazards are identified before you commit.

Many drillers and lenders now expect one. An independent assessment gives your driller a clear target, supports a planning or licence application, and gives you a documented basis for the investment.

Our assessments

One service, scoped to how much water you need

The 20 m³/day threshold matters because it is where abstraction licensing begins in England. Above it, the assessment has to do more: show the abstraction won't harm other water users or the environment, and prepare you for the consent and licensing process.

<20 m³/day

Up to 20,000 litres a day. For homes, holiday lets, small farms, livestock, gardens and small businesses. A typical household uses well under 1 m³/day.

£775+ VAT£930.00 including VAT
  • Site geology and predicted borehole log
  • Target aquifer and expected depth to water
  • Estimated yield from local borehole records
  • Expected water quality and likely treatment
  • Recommended borehole construction design
  • Source Protection Zones, contamination and site constraints
  • Regulatory guidance, including private water supply registration
Order <20 m³/day assessment
>20 m³/day

For irrigation, agriculture, commercial and industrial supply, food production, and open-loop ground source heating and cooling.

£1,350+ VAT£1,620.00 including VAT
  • Everything in the <20 m³/day assessment
  • Wider review of geology and hydrogeology, and the ability to support the larger abstraction
  • Screening of rivers, wetlands and protected sites
  • Water resource availability in the catchment
  • Supporting information for the Environment Agency consent to investigate and abstraction licence
Order >20 m³/day assessment

Not sure which you need? Add up your peak daily use. If it could exceed 20 m³ on any day, choose the >20 m³/day assessment. Licensing thresholds differ in Wales and Scotland; we'll advise on the rules for your site either way.

How it works

From order to drilling target

STEP 1

Order online

Choose your assessment, give us the site address, your proposed borehole location by what3words, and a site map showing the land available.

STEP 2

We research your site

Our hydrogeologists review geological mapping, borehole records, aquifer data, abstraction records and environmental designations.

STEP 3

Receive your report

A clear PDF report with a predicted borehole log, construction design, yield and quality estimates and regulatory next steps.

STEP 4

Drill with confidence

Pass the report to your driller for a firm quotation. We're happy to answer your driller's questions about the design.

Our hydrogeologists

Assessments written by specialists, not templates

Every report is prepared and checked by a qualified hydrogeologist with practical experience of UK aquifers, borehole design and Environment Agency regulation.

Portrait of Stephen Cresswell Principal Hydrogeologist

Stephen Cresswell

MSc Hydrogeology20 years in drillingWater resources
Portrait of Lawrence Scott Founder & Principal Geologist

Lawrence Scott

10+ years consultingDrilling supervisionEA · SEPA · NRW
Order an assessment

Tell us about your site

Complete the details below, then continue to secure card payment. Your assessment starts once payment is received.

1 · Assessment
2 · Your details
3 · Site and borehole
The what3words address of where you'd like the borehole drilled.
PDF, PNG or JPG, up to 7 MB. Mark the site boundary and the area available for drilling and rig access.
4 · Water use
1 m³ = 1,000 litres.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to visit the site?

No. Our assessments are desk studies built on geological mapping, national borehole records, aquifer data and regulatory datasets. Your what3words location and site map tell us exactly where the borehole will go and how much room there is for a drilling rig.

Why does the 20 m³/day threshold matter?

In England, abstracting more than 20 m³ of water a day normally requires an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency. Before drilling and test pumping a borehole for that kind of supply, you also need the Agency's consent to investigate a groundwater source. The larger assessment covers the extra work this involves.

Does the assessment guarantee I'll find water?

No assessment can guarantee a yield, because ground conditions vary over short distances. What it does is give you the best available prediction from the evidence, which greatly reduces the risk of a dry or poor borehole and lets your driller plan properly.

What do I need to do after drilling?

Boreholes deeper than 15 m must be notified to the British Geological Survey. If the water is used for drinking or food production, the supply must be registered with your local council as a private water supply. Your report sets out the steps that apply to you.

Can I upgrade from the <20 m³/day assessment later?

Yes. If your needs change, contact us and we'll scope the additional work needed to bring your assessment up to the >20 m³/day standard.

Who is behind Water Borehole Assessments?

Water Borehole Assessments is a trading name of Aquifer Energy Ltd, a geology and hydrogeology consultancy based in Long Whatton, Leicestershire. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.