Groundwater | H2O Global News

Yorkshire reservoirs record largest weekly rise in over 30 years

H2O Team — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:14:22 +0000

H2O Global News
Yorkshire reservoirs record largest weekly rise in over 30 years

Yorkshire’s reservoirs have recorded their largest weekly increase in more than three decades, with total stocks rising to 45.6%—an uplift of 14.8 percentage points in seven days following heavy rainfall across the region. Despite the improvement, storage remains well below the seasonal average of 69.6%.Significant inflows were reported at several key reservoirs over the last week, including:

Scar House (Nidderdale): over 3 billion litres
Grimwith (Yorkshire Dales): over 2.7 billion litres
Langsett (South Yorkshire): over 900 million litres
Digley (West Yorkshire): over 750 million litres

Groundwater levels and river flows across the region have also seen a marked rebound, helping support water resources recovery.

Dave Kaye, director of water services at Yorkshire Water, said:

The rainfall we’ve seen over the last seven days has had a significant impact – the largest weekly increase in stocks we’ve seen in 30 years. The rain over the last seven days has also recharged groundwater and the region’s rivers. The recharge of the rivers means we can enact our drought orders and permits to allow the reservoirs maximum recovery.

While the increase in reservoir and groundwater stocks is positive and very welcome after the driest summer on record, our stocks are still well below where they should be at this time of year. We hope the reservoirs and groundwater will continue to recover through the autumn and winter months so we’re in a good position entering 2026.

Despite the relief of the rainfall, we are continuing our efforts to tackle more than 800 leaks per week and lay over 1,000km of new water pipes over the next five years. The hosepipe restrictions remain in place and will be in effect until reservoir and groundwater levels have seen sufficient recovery. We’re hoping this will occur through usual autumn and winter rainfall and we will continue to monitor levels and remove the restrictions as soon as we are able.

Once again we’d like to thank customers’ efforts to adhere to the restrictions and for those taking further steps to conserve water resources.

Quick reference links

Yorkshire reservoirs record largest weekly rise in over 30 years
H2O Team

Domestic water usage down 10% since Yorkshire Water hosepipe restrictions implemented

louise davey — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:51:47 +0000

H2O Global News
Domestic water usage down 10% since Yorkshire Water hosepipe restrictions implemented

Yorkshire Water has thanked customers for their efforts so far to save water as domestic water usage across Yorkshire has decreased 10% since hosepipe restrictions came into effect on 11 July.

In warm weather 70-80 million litres per day have been saved, while days with cooler temperatures and rainfall over the last three weeks led to savings of approximately 35 million litres.

Despite the reduced water usage, and increased number of repairs to leaks across the region, reservoir stocks dropped 1.7% over the last seven days. Total stocks dropped to 47.4%, well below the average of 76.5% for this time of year.

The 135,000 smart meters fitted across Yorkshire have also helped to identify more than 2,000 properties with leaky pipework. So far, 50% of customers informed of leaks on their property have taken steps to repair them, saving 1.5 million litres per day.

Dave Kaye, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said: “A 10% reduction in domestic water use since restrictions were implemented is fantastic and testament to our customers who understand the need to put the hosepipes away and to save water where they can after an extremely dry 2025 so far.

“We have seen temperatures drop and patches of rainfall across the region in recent weeks, which both help to bring down demand for water, but reservoir levels are still falling as we continue to distribute over 1.2 billion litres of water every day. We really appreciate the efforts of residential and business customers to do what they can to reduce water usage.

“Our teams are working around the clock to find and fix leaks, repairing more than 800 every week to keep water in supply.

“The hosepipe restrictions remain in place, and we recently enacted the next stage of our drought plan – the application for drought permits and orders – to manage the water resources picture in the near and longer-term. We will keep customers updated on water resources over the coming weeks and months and will remove the hosepipe restrictions as soon as we can.”

Domestic water usage down 10% since Yorkshire Water hosepipe restrictions implemented
louise davey

WSP appointed by Environment Agency to enhance groundwater modelling in Lincolnshire and East Anglia

louise davey — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:56:34 +0000

H2O Global News
WSP appointed by Environment Agency to enhance groundwater modelling in Lincolnshire and East Anglia

Leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP has been appointed by the Environment Agency to update and maintain existing groundwater models in Lincolnshire and East Anglia.

This project marks a continuation of WSP’s 25-year collaboration with the Environment Agency on groundwater investigations and modelling, during which WSP developed four of the five Anglian groundwater models, while sub-consultants, AtkinsRealis, developed the remaining model.

The project will focus on updating and maintaining these vital model assets, delivering model-related outputs to both internal Environment Agency and third-party stakeholders, to support decision-making for water resources and water quality regulation.

Gordon Coombs, Associate Director at WSP, said:

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Environment Agency. This project not only enhances the groundwater models but also ensures they remain essential tools for water resource decision-making, especially as we face emerging challenges such as climate change and the balance between the demand for water supply from groundwater sources and the need to preserve our valuable wetland sites and Chalk Streams.”

Mark Grout, Project Executive at Environment Agency, said:

“We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with WSP. Their proven expertise will ensure that our region’s groundwater models are continuously improved and maintained. This will support our regulatory work, most notably with assessing sustainable levels of water abstraction now and into the future. The Environment Agency has a duty to ensure that there is enough water for people, businesses and the environment.”

WSP appointed by Environment Agency to enhance groundwater modelling in Lincolnshire and East Anglia
louise davey

Envirogen’s Regenerable IX System is Treating the City of San Fernando’s Well 3 Groundwater to Drinking Water Quality Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

louise davey — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:19:11 +0000

H2O Global News
Envirogen’s Regenerable IX System is Treating the City of San Fernando’s Well 3 Groundwater to Drinking Water Quality

Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

Envirogen has recently completed commissioning of its regenerable ion exchange (IX) treatment system – SimPACK – for the City of San Fernando (CA) to provide drinking water from its Well 3, where the groundwater’s nitrate levels are above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for potable water.

The City is utilizing the Envirogen SimPACK system to remove nitrate to a level at or below 80% of the MCL (8 mg/L nitrate-N).

System redundancy

The SimPACK technology is a multi-bed design operated in a staggered mode process. The staggered bed is Envirogen’s N+3 method, which allows seven of the ten filter vessels within the system to be online, while two vessels are being regenerated and one vessel is in standby. The design provides system redundancy, as required by the California Water Resources Board (CWRB) Division of Drinking Water.

The result is continuous on-demand treatment, via the use of regenerable IX resins. The SimPACK unit automatically controls the flow of water for treatment, as well as regeneration and rinse cycles for exhausted bed vessels, in order to maintain a set number of beds for treatment of the target contaminant of nitrate.

Components include Envirogen FluxFlo bag filters for pre-filtration, bag filter housings to remove suspended solids greater than 5 microns, an engineered container to shelter the system from weather and tampering; and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) featuring Envirogen SimPACK control logic to minimize waste rates and salt consumption.

Successful treatment

Victor Meza, Water Operations Manager for the City of San Fernando stated, “We chose Envirogen based on the prior successful use of an Envirogen SimPACK treatment system for Well 7A. That system operated effectively for the past five years, which gave us confidence in the same technology being used at Well 3. Using Envirogen’s most advanced regenerable IX technology for nitrate treatment allows the city to continue to diversify its water source portfolio, while providing residents with the least expensive, treated potable water.”

Costly imported water

Dr. Todd Webster, Vice President, Envirogen, comments, “Envirogen has been pleased to collaborate with the City of San Fernando to bring our latest regenerable ion exchange nitrate treatment system to full, permitted operation by the State of California. It allows the City to continue to treat nitrate-impacted groundwater effectively and further minimize dependence on costly imported water.”

Looking ahead

Envirogen will continue to assist the City of San Fernando with continual maintenance through a service contract for both wells 3 and 7A treatment systems.

Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

louise davey

Covenant Technical Solutions emerges as a premier water treatment solutions and conveyance provider Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

H2O Team — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:39:38 +0000

H2O Global News
Covenant Technical Solutions emerges as a premier water treatment solutions and conveyance provider

Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

Covenant Technical Solutions™ (CTS™) today announces its inception as an integrated solutions provider for the water sector, delivering comprehensive in-house execution from water quality assessment to construction and project commissioning. Backed by decades of industry expertise, the water conveyance and treatment project company boasts a leadership team of three industry titans: Rob Craw as CEO and founder, Bill Williams as president and founder and Sean Summers as vice president of operations.

Based in California, the company will launch as a primary partner for water providers in its home state, targeting contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) impacting local groundwater supplies. Contaminants to recently receive federal or state regulatory standards or guidelines include: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hexavalent chromium (chromium-6), 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), and 1,4-dioxane.

“We are excited to embark on this journey that we anticipate will revolutionize the water sector,” remarks Rob Craw, CEO and founder of Covenant Technical Solutions. “Companies don’t have experience, people do. Our carefully curated team embodies a wealth of expertise that leaves us poised to deliver a level of service that isn’t currently available in the market. Starting with project financing all the way through construction and commissioning, Covenant will be staffed with the resources needed to complete the job, redefining industry standards for excellence while creating a risk-based sharing partnership.”

With over 30 years of industry experience, Rob Craw brings a wealth of knowledge to the business. Starting from his early days on the shop floor at USFilter/Westates, then driving that business into the western U.S. market leader, he progressed to spearheading advancements in underground infrastructure technology at UGSI. Subsequently, in 2015 he was the visionary that founded and scaled AqueoUS Vets before establishing American Veterans Products and Services. Rob’s extensive treatment and conveyance background and Disabled Veteran Business Entity (DVBE) status uniquely qualifies him to advise and support other growing businesses in the water sector.

Bill Williams brings over 40 years of experience to the role, including nine years at Garney Pacific where he was a director and vice president responsible for contract negotiations and personnel management on construction projects in California and Nevada. As the first hire when the company established its California operation in 2014, he was the instrumental force in its growth. Four short years later, Garney Pacific reached approximately $80 million to $100 million per year in revenue. His expertise includes estimating, pre-construction, value engineering, project management and equipment resourcing.

Finally, Sean Summers rounds out the team with over 14 years of water industry experience. He also worked at Garney Pacific where he managed projects upwards of $40 million in the public and private sector. He is a dynamic problem solver with an acumen for estimating, project design and procurement, as well as project management.

Covenant Technical Solutions emerges as a premier water treatment solutions and conveyance provider

Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

H2O Team

The Concept of Hydrogeology In Coastal Groundwater Systems

hello — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:39:50 +0000

H2O Global News
The Concept of Hydrogeology In Coastal Groundwater Systems

Harriet Carlyle

Coastal groundwater systems are a vital resource for many communities around the world. However, they are also highly vulnerable to a range of environmental factors, including rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns, and human activities such as groundwater pumping. To understand and manage these systems effectively, it is essential to have a solid understanding of hydrogeology – the science of how water moves through the earth’s subsurface.

We have been in touch with Dr Harriet Carlyle, Technical Director (Hydrogeology) at Sweco (UK), to explore the fundamentals of hydrogeology in coastal groundwater systems and discuss how this knowledge can be used to protect this valuable resource.

What Is Hydrogeology?

Hydrogeology is the study of groundwater. Groundwater is located in underground aquifers, composed of rocks and sediments that hold a large amount of water. It feeds springs, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, flows into estuaries and the sea, and can be pumped to the surface from wells and boreholes.

Rain and melted snow seep into the ground, either directly or indirectly, from rivers to help recharge and replenish groundwater stores. So, aquifers effectively act as giant reservoirs of water.

Groundwater may be out of sight but should not be out of mind. The impact of groundwater is visible everywhere, and it is everywhere under our feet.

What Is the Need for Groundwater Systems?

As almost all the liquid freshwater on Earth is groundwater, and life would not be possible without it. Groundwater supplies much of the water we use for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industrial applications.

Groundwater systems are critical in the driest parts of the world, as they may be the only water people have. In the UK, groundwater provides approximately ⅓ of all public water supplies in England and makes a significant contribution in Wales and Scotland.

In times when there is no rainfall/precipitation, groundwater keeps many of our rivers flowing throughout the year through springs and seepage, allowing access to this valuable resource as well as maintaining ecosystems. Well-known examples are the chalk streams found in England, which campaigners like Seán Feargal Sharkey OBE have highlighted. These are almost entirely dependent on groundwater from chalk bedrock and are renowned for their clear water, unique habitats and fisheries. River water can disappear into the ground and reappear far away, having travelled underground through cave systems.

Groundwater also maintains nationally important wetlands across the country, often giving rise to distinctive ecosystems dependent on the natural chemistry of the groundwater as well as on water levels.

Saline intrusion investigation – borehole conductivity profiling

Threats to Groundwater Systems

Unfortunately, in some places, human activities pollute groundwater, making it unusable. Over-application, spillages, and deliberate dumping of fuels, solvents, and other harmful chemicals, particularly since the industrial revolution, remain an issue, whilst emerging contaminants such as personal protective products, pharmaceuticals, and even microplastics present new threats.

In rural areas, the over-application of fertilisers has caused groundwater pollution on a regional scale, exacerbated by contamination of herbicides and pesticides from poor application and storage. While many of these are now banned, they remain in groundwater.

The scientific discovery of climate change/global warming began in the early 19th century, and since then, there has been enough evidence to show that climate change increases the likelihood of drought. A rise in drought events increases our reliance on groundwater for water supply as springs, rivers, and reservoirs dry up. Reduced rainfall and increasing evaporation also mean less opportunity for groundwater recharge.

Another issue that groundwater faces is over-exploitation. Abstracting more groundwater than can be recharged lowers groundwater levels in aquifers, reducing water supply to springs, rivers and wetlands, as well as increasing the risk of land instability and subsidence. In terms of groundwater abstraction, there may be increased energy and carbon costs associated with pumping from greater depths and for additional water treatment as deeper groundwater tends to have poorer water quality.

What Are Coastal Groundwater Systems?

Coastal groundwater systems are where fresh groundwater and seawater meet. More than one billion people around the world live in coastal regions, and many of these are dependent on groundwater as their main water supply. People living on small islands may rely on lenses of fresh groundwater above denser saline water for water supply.

Aquifers replenished on land may discharge under the sea or estuary, and indeed, there are stories about ships recharging the freshwater tanks from submarine springs. But what we need to know is that coastal aquifers are very vulnerable to over-exploitation, alterations to land use, and climate change. Both over-abstraction and sea level rise can reverse the direction of groundwater flow, pulling seawater under the land (seawater intrusion) and making it unfit for water supply.

Effects on coastal groundwater may also be seen in estuarine or near-shore coastal environments where a reduction in spring or submarine freshwater flows can impact marine ecosystems.

How Can We Protect Coastal Groundwater Going Forward?

Coastal groundwater needs to be much better managed, and the aquifers need to be regarded as the sensitive and dynamic systems they are. Clean groundwater is not an infinite resource.

Coastal aquifers can potentially be restored gradually through robust investigation, monitoring and management by reducing abstraction and/or increasing recharge. If groundwater levels are allowed to recover such that the direction of groundwater flow is no longer inland, then groundwater quality may also gradually improve so that the aquifer again becomes a viable water supply for both human use and the natural environment.

As an example, Sweco’s hydrogeologists are currently assisting Yorkshire Water on a saline intrusion investigation of the chalk aquifer that supplies the city of Hull (UK), as previous studies have suggested that saline intrusion is continuing to occur.

Sweco’s investigation aims to confirm the extent and movement (if any) of the saline groundwater, the potential sources of salinity (modern seawater intrusion, migration of old saline water arising from seawater inundation thousands of years ago and/or modern anthropogenic inputs such as fertiliser and salt spreading) and identification of options to manage the salinity should this be attributable to over-abstraction.

How Sweco Is Becoming Part of the Solution to Society’s Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Challenges

Sweco (UK & Ireland) is hoping to reach net zero by 2030. Sweco is in a unique position to not only design the cities and communities of the future that are sustainable but also to collaborate with partners, clients and key stakeholders to help transform society for the better.

Sweco’s team of sustainability experts share their knowledge on climate change with clients and professional organisations. Sweco understands that more must be done to prevent ecological disaster, and fast. That is why Sweco is concentrating on its environmental, social, and governance goals over the next five years and aiming to be net zero by 2030, which is 10 years ahead of the pledge to net zero’s deadline of 2040. As a result, Sweco hopes to become the go-to environment partner for clients who want to reach their climate goals per local and global regulations.

The Concept of Hydrogeology In Coastal Groundwater Systems
hello

Envirogen appointed to test a novel treatment for groundwater contaminated by 1,4-Dioxane and cVOCs

hello — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:08:23 +0000

H2O Global News
Envirogen appointed to test a novel treatment for groundwater contaminated by 1,4-Dioxane and cVOCs

Envirogen Technologies, Inc., has been awarded a $0.9M contract to test a novel biological treatment, using a Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR), for groundwater contaminated by 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-D) and dilute levels of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOCs).

The contract was awarded by the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) through the US Army Corp of Engineers.

The R&D-based project will study the use of a butane degrading microbe in an FBR to consume isobutane and cometabolically treat 1,4-D and the cVOCs. The three-year project, commencing Q4 2022, comprises bench-scale testing in New Jersey followed by a pilot-scale off-site demonstration in Tennessee in 2024/5.

“The butanotroph microbe-based treatment approach is novel because it’s the first time it will have been tested to remove these co-contaminants from groundwater in an ex-situ bioreactor,” says Dr. Todd Webster, Vice President, Envirogen Technologies.

“The project’s overall objective is to demonstrate and validate the use, performance and costing of an FBR, using the butane degrading microbe for the treatment of the comingled contaminants.”

DoD remediation plan

The project is part of the Department of Defense (DoD) remediation plan for clean-up of water contaminated by 1,4-D and other recalcitrant chemicals. The DoD has used cVOCs as degreasing agents and cleaning agents for years, with 1,4-D added as a chlorinated solvent stabilizer, resulting in these chemicals co-contaminating ground water at DoD sites. Historically, at such sites, cVOCs are treated by air stripping, followed by carbon or advanced oxidation processes (AOP) such as UV light-hydrogen peroxide or ozone-hydrogen peroxide to treat the 1,4-D.

Dr. Webster states, “Multiple treatment processes of air stripping and AOP are the traditional means to remove these co-contaminants from groundwater. Although these technologies are effective, they can also be expensive because of the necessary capital and electricity requirements.

“Our novel use of a single biological technology to treat both 1,4-D and dilute cVOCs in groundwater would provide improved life-cycle treatment costs for the DoD at numerous contaminated sites.”

Current data suggest that a biological system to treat these co-contaminant streams to required regulatory levels is potentially both feasible and sustainable. Envirogen’s FBR is an efficient fixed-film bioreactor in which a high concentration of naturally occurring biomass containing the butanotroph microbe is attached to a fluidized medium. Biological treatment of the contaminated water occurs within that biomass-medium interface.

Envirogen was awarded the project based on a competitive bid process, focusing on the company’s innovative technologies and expertise in treating emerging contaminants. Envirogen has partnered with APTIM Federal Services, a subcontractor in this project, to collaborate on the bench-scale element work. APTIM specializes in critical infrastructure, technical and data solutions and related services including environmental remediation.

Envirogen appointed to test a novel treatment for groundwater contaminated by 1,4-Dioxane and cVOCs
hello

Groundwater | H2O Global News

Yorkshire reservoirs record largest weekly rise in over 30 years

Quick reference links

Domestic water usage down 10% since Yorkshire Water hosepipe restrictions implemented

WSP appointed by Environment Agency to enhance groundwater modelling in Lincolnshire and East Anglia

Envirogen’s Regenerable IX System is Treating the City of San Fernando’s Well 3 Groundwater to Drinking Water Quality Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

Read more Envirogen news: Envirogen wins $1.51M City of Modesto contract for new groundwater water treatment system at Grayson

Will further reduce dependence on costly imported water

Covenant Technical Solutions emerges as a premier water treatment solutions and conveyance provider Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

Team of industry heavyweights combine water quality and construction expertise for complete system project delivery

The Concept of Hydrogeology In Coastal Groundwater Systems

What Is Hydrogeology?

What Is the Need for Groundwater Systems?

Threats to Groundwater Systems

What Are Coastal Groundwater Systems?

How Can We Protect Coastal Groundwater Going Forward?

How Sweco Is Becoming Part of the Solution to Society’s Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Challenges

Envirogen appointed to test a novel treatment for groundwater contaminated by 1,4-Dioxane and cVOCs

Read more Envirogen news:
Envirogen wins $1.51M City of Modesto contract for new groundwater water treatment system at Grayson