Been reading in the times newspaper archives that the Ski Village has applied for a licence to abstact water from boreholes to lubricate it's ski slopes, given that it is next to a toxic tip is this safe, Parkwood Springs is so named because it is full of natural springs, a timebomb ticking.

I think the ski slope is on much higher ground, depends how deep the well is though

Two issues I guess - toxic leachates from the landfill and the possible collapse of the ground if the amount of water taken exceeds the ability of the springs to replenish the aquifers.

The first would depend upon the landfill, whether it's lined, whether it contains dodgy substances, etc. and the second on the geology.

Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on either, but hopefully this may help...

Joe

lol, it won't "collapse", the water is soaked into rock, not some underground lake that you're tapping off ;)

I know from personal experience that the water at the ski village is regulally tested for any impurities and goes through a very complex filter system before it is sprayed onto the slopes. they work closely with the environment agency to ensure that this is a completely safe process. they have been pumping water onto the slopes for at least five years if not longer.

Originally posted by Maldonado
lol, it won't "collapse", the water is soaked into rock, not some underground lake that you're tapping off ;)

Yes, I'm aware of that....however....even withdrawing water from a compressed bedrock like sandstone can cause further compression under the correct circumstances. Removal of water can cause the quifer bed to be further compressed by the surrounding rocks.

Typically, though, you're only talking about inches of compression which probably won't filter through to the surface.

If the aquifier is loose gravel, sand, etc. with a high porosity, then the compression as water is removed will be greater. Mexico city is an example of this - and here you get subsidence caused by the removal of large amounts of water.

This is an extreme case, but no need for the lol!! :) I don't know the geology of the area, but it must be documented somewhere.

Joe

Parkwood is made up of mainly shale and gannister above a layer of coal, its extremely porous, can remember as a kid drinking from the springs that came up, plus there is an old gannister pit running underneath towards Pitsmoor, there used to be a runoff that came out as far down as Wardsend cemetery, even in a hot summer the springs were still running, as for the environment agency checking up on things, is this the same agency who allowed the tipping of mad cow remains on Parkwood.