Waterwell Project in West Sussex

The project involved the installation of three production boreholes to depths of 15m and 62m, strategically positioned to maximise water yield from the local aquifer system. The team encountered complex geological conditions typical of the West Sussex region, including the Upper and Lower Tunbridge Wells Sand formations, characterised by fine to medium-grained sandstone and siltstone sequences, interspersed with the challenging Grinstead Clay Member comprising grey to greenish grey mudstones and silty layers.

Drilling operations required careful navigation through varied strata, including dark golden sand with bands of brittle sandstone, grey clays and mudstones with interbedded sandstones and limestones that remained extremely stiff to 41m below ground level before transitioning to looser formations with increased sand and clay content. The Lower Tunbridge Wells Sand formation, including the notable Ardingly Sandstone Member, provided the primary water-bearing horizon with its clean quartzose sandstone composition.

Each borehole was constructed with precision-engineered steel casing and screen installations, with rest water levels established between 19.7m and 22.1m below ground level, indicating excellent aquifer connectivity. The installation incorporated locally-sourced Horsham stone elements, ensuring the infrastructure harmonised with the regional aesthetic whilst maintaining optimal functionality.

The completed waterwell system delivers significant operational benefits for the hospitality client, including substantial cost savings on mains water consumption and access to high-quality groundwater. This sustainable water supply solution directly supports the client's water neutrality commitments whilst providing long-term operational resilience and environmental stewardship.