This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows where aquifer vulnerability maps are available for England and Wales. These maps identify areas in which the groundwater resources require protection from potentially polluting activities. The maps are designed to be used by planners, developers, consultants and regulatory bodies to ensure that developments conform to the Policy and Practice of the Environment Agency for the protection of Groundwater. The Soil Survey, Land Research Centre and the British Geological Survey were commissioned by the Environment Agency to prepare 53 groundwater vulnerability maps at 1:100,000 scale. Currently we are unable to provide scanned copies of these maps due to Copyright restrictions. Please note that these maps are based on data from the late 1980's and early 1990's. More up-to-date digital data may now be available from the Environment Agency.

This dataset is available for use for non-commercial purposes only on request as AfA248 dataset Groundwater Vulnerability Maps (2017). For commercial use please contact the British Geological Survey.

The Groundwater Vulnerability Maps show the vulnerability of groundwater to a pollutant discharged at ground level based on the hydrological, geological, hydrogeological and soil properties within a single square kilometre. The 2017 publication has updated the groundwater vulnerability maps to reflect improvements in data mapping, modelling capability and understanding of the factors affecting vulnerability Two map products are available: • The combined groundwater vulnerability map. This product is designed for technical specialists due to the complex nature of the legend which displays groundwater vulnerability (High, Medium, Low), the type of aquifer (bedrock and/or superficial) and aquifer designation status (Principal, Secondary, Unproductive). These maps require that the user is able to understand the vulnerability assessment and interpret the individual components of the legend.

• The simplified groundwater vulnerability map. This was developed for non-specialists who need to know the overall risk to groundwater but do not have extensive hydrogeological knowledge or the time to interpret the underlying data. The map has five risk categories (High, Medium-High, Medium, Medium-Low and Low) based on the likelihood of a pollutant reaching the groundwater (i.e. the vulnerability), the types of aquifer present and the potential impact (i.e. the aquifer designation status). The two maps also identify areas where solution features that enable rapid movement of a pollutant may be present (identified as stippled areas) and areas where additional local information affecting vulnerability is held by the Environment Agency (identified as dashed areas). Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2017. All rights reserved.Derived from 1:50k scale BGS Digital Data under Licence 2011/057 British Geological Survey. © NERC.

The map shows the potential for the rocks to supply groundwater and the type of groundwater flow within the rocks. The dataset reattributes polygons in the Digital Geological Map Data of Great Britain - 625k (DiGMapGB-625) Bedrock version 5 dataset to indicate whether the bedrock is an aquifer, the type of flow through the aquifer (fracture and fissure flow or intergranular flow) and how productive the aquifer is likely to be. The dataset is based on the known hydrogeological properties of rock types. The dataset covers just the bedrock formations for the UK and the Isle of Man. The data can be used for planning, environmental analysis, water supply and hazards.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have updated its groundwater vulnerability map to reflect improvements in data mapping, modelling capability and understanding of the factors affecting vulnerability. Two new maps are available which show the vulnerability of groundwater to a pollutant discharged at ground level. The potential impact of groundwater pollution is considered using the aquifer designation status which provides an indication of the scale and importance of groundwater for potable water supply and/or in supporting baseflow to rivers, lakes and wetlands. This dataset for Wales has shared intellectual property (IP) between Natural Resources Wales and British Geological Survey.

Digitised versions of a set of 1:100,000 scale maps of aquifer vulnerability for England and Wales. The dataset identifies the vulnerability to pollution of major and minor aquifers as defined by the Environment Agency, utilising a combination of geological, hydrogeological and soils data. The maps are designed to be used by planners, developers, consultants and regulatory bodies to ensure that developments conform to the Policy and Practice of the Environment Agency for the protection of Groundwater. Please note that these maps are based on data from the late 1980's and early 1990's, more up-to-date digital data may now be available from the Environment Agency. Flat maps may be purchased from the BGS, some sheets are now out of print.

The BGS Hydrogeological Maps of Scotland data product is comprised of three datasets: Bedrock Aquifer Productivity (Scotland); Superficial Aquifer Productivity (Scotland); and Groundwater Vulnerability (Scotland). Aquifer productivity is a measure of the potential of aquifers to sustain a borehole water supply. The Aquifer Productivity (Scotland) datasets indicate the location and productivity of bedrock and superficial aquifers across Scotland, and their groundwater flow characteristics. The Groundwater Vulnerability (Scotland) dataset shows the relative vulnerability of groundwater to contamination across Scotland. The BGS Hydrogeological Maps of Scotland data product is developed as a tool to support groundwater resource management. It may be useful to anyone interested in learning more about, assessing or managing groundwater resources across Scotland. The datasets within the product are delivered at 1: 100 000 scale.

The Environment Agency has updated its groundwater vulnerability map to reflect improvements in data mapping, modelling capability and understanding of the factors affecting vulnerability. Two new maps are available which show the vulnerability of groundwater to a pollutant discharged at ground level. The potential impact of groundwater pollution is considered using the aquifer designation status which provides an indication of the scale and importance of groundwater for potable water supply and/or in supporting baseflow to rivers, lakes and wetlands. This dataset has shared IP (Intellectual Property) between Environment Agency and British Geological Survey. It supersedes the previous Groundwater Vulnerability 100k data released by EA.

These maps provide an overview, at the national scale, of the spatial relationships between principal aquifers and some of the major shale and clay units in England and Wales. The data comprises a series of occurrence maps shows the distribution of rock units that form the principal aquifers and some major shale and clay units in England and Wales. In addition, a series of separation maps show the vertical separation between pairs of shales or clays and overlying aquifers. If shale gas resources are to be developed in the UK, the implications for groundwater will need to be considered as part of any risk assessment. A step in such an assessment will be to understand and quantify the spatial relationships between the potential shale gas source rocks (including both shales and some clay units) and overlying aquifers. The datasets used to produce the aquifer maps, the shale and clay occurrence maps and the separation maps are available to download for your own use. As with other BGS data sets available for download, this will enable you to work offline to develop your own systems and methodologies using BGS data. The data used to produce the aquifer, shale and clay maps are available below as ESRI GIS and KML files.

Joint BGS/Natural Resources Wales (NRW) dataset of aquifer designations for Wales at 1:50 000. The dataset identifies different types of aquifer - underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock or drift deposits from which groundwater can be extracted. These designations reflect the importance of aquifers in terms of groundwater as a resource (drinking water supply) but also their role in supporting surface water flows and wetland ecosystems. The maps are split into two different type of aquifer designation: superficial - permeable unconsolidated (loose) deposits (for example, sands and gravels), and bedrock - solid permeable formations e.g. sandstone, chalk and limestone.

This dataset is available for use for non-commercial purposes only. For commercial use please contact the British Geological Survey.

The Groundwater Vulnerability Maps show the vulnerability of groundwater to a pollutant discharged at ground level based on the hydrological, geological, hydrogeological and soil properties within a single square kilometre. The 2017 publication has updated the groundwater vulnerability maps to reflect improvements in data mapping, modelling capability and understanding of the factors affecting vulnerability Two map products are available: • The combined groundwater vulnerability map. This product is designed for technical specialists due to the complex nature of the legend which displays groundwater vulnerability (High, Medium, Low), the type of aquifer (bedrock and/or superficial) and aquifer designation status (Principal, Secondary, Unproductive). These maps require that the user is able to understand the vulnerability assessment and interpret the individual components of the legend.

• The simplified groundwater vulnerability map. This was developed for non-specialists who need to know the overall risk to groundwater but do not have extensive hydrogeological knowledge or the time to interpret the underlying data. The map has five risk categories (High, Medium-High, Medium, Medium-Low and Low) based on the likelihood of a pollutant reaching the groundwater (i.e. the vulnerability), the types of aquifer present and the potential impact (i.e. the aquifer designation status). The two maps also identify areas where solution features that enable rapid movement of a pollutant may be present (identified as stippled areas) and areas where additional local information affecting vulnerability is held by the Environment Agency (identified as dashed areas). Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2017. All rights reserved.Derived from 1:50k scale BGS Digital Data under Licence 2011/057 British Geological Survey. © NERC.

This layer of the Map based index (GeoIndex) shows where water wells exist with data available on transmissivity, storativity and discharge/drawdown. These parameters indicate the physical characteristics of the aquifer which can relate to factors such as possible storage capacities or rate of movement of water through the rock. This layer is only available at specific zoom levels. Please zoom to a larger scale to interrogate the map.

Aquifer designation consists of two datasets. These are NRW Aquifer topology superficial [Aquifer Designation Superficial Deposits] and NRW Aquifer topology bedrock [Aquifer Designation Bedrock Geology]. Aquifer designations identify the potential of the geological strata to provide water that can be abstract and have been defined through the assessment of the underlying geology. The designations are attributed directly to British Geological Society (BGS) 1:50K. Bedrock geology (formerly known as 'solid' geology by BGS) is a term used for the main mass of rocks forming the Earth and present everywhere, whether exposed at the surface in outcrops or concealed beneath superficial deposits or water. Geology less than 1.8 million years in age are referred to as Superficial Deposits. Superficial deposits are the youngest geological deposits formed during the most recent period of geological time, the Quaternary, which extends back about 1.8 million years from the present. They rest on older deposits or rocks referred to as Bedrock.

Hydrogeological maps of the UK at various scales. Hydrogeological maps of the UK provide information on major aquifers, including geological and lithological information, surface drainage systems and water quality issues. The 23 maps show information on surface water features, the three dimensional geometry of aquifers, groundwater levels, abstractions and quality including saline intrusion in varying amounts of detail. They range in scale from 1:625 000, for the national map of the hydrogeology of England and Wales, down to 1:25 000 for some of the smaller regional maps.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows sites where regularly monitored rest water level data are available, usually covering a long time period. The data shows seasonal fluctuations in the water table and responses to periods of high or low rainfall. This layer is only available at specific zoom levels. Please zoom to a larger scale to interrogate the map.

Groundwater Vulnerability consists of two polygon spatial layers available at a scale of 1:100,000. The data broadly define areas relevant to the protection of groundwater. The approach considers the vulnerability of the groundwater resources as a whole; and the specific importance of areas which for the catchments main sources of supply. Groundwater resources are assigned a vulnerability class [Groundwater Vulnerability 100K], based on soil type and the underlying geology only (e.g. depth to groundwater is not considered): - Variably permeable groundwater with low leaching potential - Variably permeable groundwater with intermediate leaching potential - Variably permeable groundwater high leaching potential - Highly permeable groundwater with intermediate leaching potential - Highly permeable groundwater with high leaching potential - Highly permeable groundwater with low leaching potential The Groundwater Vulnerability data is intended to be used to indicate where groundwater resources may be vulnerable from activities carried out on the surface land. Other information, such as depth of groundwater and thickness and type of overlying cover will always be required for a site-specific assessment. An assessment of the vulnerability of groundwaters to diffuse pollution is also included as the Groundwater Vulnerability Drift 100K spatial layer (‘Drift’ is transported rock debris overlying the solid bedrock) – it shows the distribution of low permeability drift deposits and should be used in conjunction with Groundwater Vulnerability 100K. INFORMATION WARNING These data have been mostly superseded by the Aquifer Designation Maps (AfA124 & AfA125), however, these maps do not provide information on surface soils. Aquifers previously designated as major and minor now become principal and secondary respectively. Users will still need to refer to the Groundwater Vulnerability maps if you are assessing activities on undisturbed natural soils (e.g. agricultural land) and need the soil classes. In this case you should disregard the old geological classes and combine the soils information with the new aquifer designations. This record is for Approval for Access product AfA199.

INFORMATION WARNING: For commercial use of this dataset contact British Geological Survey Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2017. All rights reserved.Derived from 1:50k scale BGS Digital Data under Licence 2011/057 British Geological Survey. © NERC.

The hydrogeological map indicates aquifer potential in generalised terms using a threefold division of geological formations: those in which intergranular flow in the saturated zone is dominant, those in which flow is controlled by fissures or discontinuities and less permeable formations including aquifers concealed at depth beneath covering layers. Highly productive aquifers are distinguished from those that are only of local importance or have no significant groundwater. Within each of these classes the strata are grouped together according to age or lithology. The 1:625 000 scale data may be used as a guide to the aquifers at a regional or national level, but should not be relied on for local information.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location of available Hydrogeological Maps which have been published at various scales, covering areas ranging in size from the whole of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and to Jersey. They display information on surface water features, the three dimensional geometry of aquifers, groundwater levels, abstractions and quality including saline intrusion in varying amounts of detail.

A collection of hydrogeological maps created by the British Geological Survey between 1967 and 1994. The maps in the collection cover aspects of groundwater availability, exploitation and quality, and were published at various scales from 1:25 000 to 1:625 000. A hydrogeological map is a specialized type of map that illustrates the distribution and characteristics of hydrogeological features in a particular area. Hydrogeological maps of the UK provide information on major aquifers, including geological and lithological information, surface drainage systems and water quality issues. The 23 maps show information on surface water features, the three dimensional geometry of aquifers, groundwater levels, abstractions and quality including saline intrusion in varying amounts of detail. They range in scale from 1:625 000, for the national map of the hydrogeology of England and Wales, down to 1:25 000 for some of the smaller regional maps. These maps are important tools for understanding and managing groundwater resources, as well as for addressing water-related environmental issues. These maps are hard-copy paper records stored in the National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC), and are delivered as digital scans through the BGS website.

Source Protection Zones [Merged] have been created as public facing outlines where common boundaries and overlaps (based on zone number) have been removed. Source Protection Zones (SPZs) are defined around large and public potable groundwater abstraction sites. The purpose of SPZs is to provide additional protection to safeguard drinking water quality through constraining the proximity of an activity that may impact upon a drinking water abstraction. This is part of an initial screening process in assessing impacts to groundwater resources. Zones around location sites are defined by groundwater travel time to an abstraction. This is determined through applying Environment Agency groundwater flow models run at the location of abstractions, inputting parameters such as flow direction, geology type, rainfall and hydrological boundaries. SPZs provide a visual representation of the increased risks as you get closer to the abstraction.

The following subdivisions are defined within SPZs: Zone 1: (Inner Protection Zone) - This zone is defined by a travel time of 50-days or less from any point within the zone at, or below, the water table. Additionally, the zone has as a minimum a 50-metre radius. It is based principally on biological decay criteria and is designed to protect against the transmission of toxic chemicals and water-borne disease.
Zone 2: (Outer Protection Zone) - This zone is defined by the 400-day travel time from a point below the water table. Additionally this zone has a minimum radius of 250 or 500 metres, depending on the size of the abstraction. The travel time is derived from consideration of the minimum time required to provide delay, dilution and attenuation of slowly degrading pollutants. Zone 3: (Total catchment) - This zone is defined as the total area needed to support the abstraction or discharge from the protected groundwater source.

We’ve extended some zones to include areas where there is protective geology cover, such as clay. This is because activities below the surface, such as deep drilling, could create pathways for pollutants to enter the groundwater. The SPZ maps show them as zones 1c, 2c and 3c.

A further Zone 4, or ‘Zone of Special Interest’ is occasionally defined for some groundwater sources. These zones highlight areas (mainly on non-aquifers) where known local conditions mean that potentially polluting activities could impact on a groundwater source, even though the area is outside the normal catchment of that source.

Further information is available at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/doe/groundwater-dependent-terrestrial-ecosystems.PDF