The relevance of aquifer-flow mechanisms to exploration and development of groundwater resources

Detailed field and laboratory investigations on four regions of the Permo—Triassic sandstones in England and Wales have shown that fissure flow is of major importance in governing the yields from abstraction wells in this aquifer. The Permo—Triassic sandstones are currently the second most important source of groundwater in the United Kingdom and their extensive development is planned for the future. An understanding of the flow mechanism has enabled suggestions to be made which would act as guidelines for exploration. It is considered that the exploration and development proposals are applicable to other fissured sandstone aquifers.