10 January 2007
11 January 2007
Final Groundwater Report States ‘No evidence of underground streams from Europe’
The report detailing the investigation to determine whether or not freshwater streams flow underground to Jersey from mainland Europe has been published.
The report was produced jointly by the internationally respected authorities; the British Geological Survey and Entec UK Ltd and concludes that the information gained from the experimental test boreholes was consistent with the source of deep groundwater being derived from rainfall falling on Jersey and not from underground streams flowing to the Island.
The Minister for Planning and the Environment, Senator Freddie Cohen said "An exhaustive investigation involving the joint cooperation of scientists and water diviners has been completed and I am grateful to all the members of the Advisory Group for their support and persistence in finishing their work and bringing this matter to a conclusion. The results show that the groundwater beneath Jersey is sourced from rainfall falling on the Island. I am pleased that the historic debate as to the existence of underground streams from Europe has been concluded. The States of Jersey and the public must now recognise that the groundwater resource must be responsibly managed for future Island use. I plan to achieve this by bringing a Water Resources Law back to the States in the near future”.
ENDS
Further information:
To view the work of the Deep Groundwater Advisory group (DGAG), including the full technical and summary report please see: Jersey Deep Groundwater Investigation.htm
Contact: Chris Newton 01534-441610
Note to news editors :
The investigation was overseen by members of the Deep Groundwater Advisory Group.
Members of the group include:
Dr Ralph Nichols (chair) - geologist
Dr John Renouf - geologist
Mr Lewis de la Haye - well driller
Mr Neville George - well driller
Mr George Langlois - water diviner
Mr Howard Snowden - Managing Director of Jersey Water
Mr Chris Newton - Director of Environment
Deputy Sarah Ferguson - States Member
Deputy Rob Duhamel - States Member
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