National Groundwater and

Contaminated Land Centre

Water Supply Borehole

Construction and Headworks
GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE

Environment Agency

Wa t e r S u p p l y B o r e h o l e
Construction and Headworks
GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE
This guidance has been prepared by the Environment Agency

What does it cover?

(the Agency) to raise awareness of both good and bad practice

The guidelines focus on those aspects of borehole siting,

in the siting, construction and completion of water supply

construction and headworks design relevant to source

boreholes.

protection.

Who is it aimed at?

Other considerations

It is intended to help owners of existing boreholes to

There are a number of other factors that need to be

protect their sources. It is also for anyone considering having

considered when planning or constructing a borehole, which

a borehole drilled. It tells you what to look for, what to specify

are beyond the scope of this guidance. They include :

and what your responsibilities are, as well as helping drillers

abstraction licence/

submit realistic prices for doing the job properly and to adopt
the necessary high standards. (A cross section through a

groundwater

typical abstraction borehole is shown in Diagram a)

investigation consent
requirements (Water

Why is it needed?

Resources Act, 1991);

Boreholes used for agricultural, commercial, industrial or public

health and safety;

water supply purposes require the consent of the Agency to

electrical safety

drill and test them and a licence to abstract. It is the responsibility

and regulations;

of source owners and their contractors to ensure that they

dangers from toxic

are properly constructed and protected. Boreholes drilled

or explosive gases;

for domestic purposes are normally exempt from these

leaking sewers,

requirements. Since these sources are often used for potable

effluent disposal

purposes it is important that the right precautions are taken at

from septic tanks;

the planning and construction stage, to prevent contamination

storage, handling

of the sources themselves and pollution to the groundwater

and accidental spillages

in general.

of fuels and chemicals.

Above ground headworks (good practice)

(still to be concreted at ground level), but sited
close to stored chemical (bad practice)

the presence of buried

Agency water resources staff have seen many examples of badly

services (gas, electric etc);

constructed, completed or maintained private water supply

boreholes, and are concerned at the risks to which source

A list of useful references can be found at the back

owners are subjecting themselves, often out of ignorance. Once

of this document.

drilled and completed a borehole is often out of sight and out

Legal liabilities

of mind until things go wrong, e.g. becomes polluted, fails

1

It is a criminal offence to cause or knowingly permit

environmental health checks , or the output falls.

groundwater to become polluted, with heavy penalties (20,000

These guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive; the

maximum fine in a magistrates court, or an unlimited fine and/

Agency does not have a standard specification for drilling

or imprisonment on indictment). Therefore, if source owners

or completing water supply boreholes . Common objectives

allow pollution of groundwater to occur, for example by surface

must be met, but precisely how they are achieved is mainly a

contamination draining down their borehole, they not only

matter for the client and contractor. Both have legal and other

jeopardise their own water supply, but they could also be

responsibilities and legal liabilities. The clients interests must be

prosecuted by the Environment Agency, and be responsible for

protected, whilst the contractor is usually looked on as the

cleaning up the groundwater. Similarly, if the contractor does not

expert in these matters, and is expected to use designs,

design or construct the borehole properly, taking account of the

materials and workmanship appropriate to the setting and risks.

risks, they too could be liable.

See footnotes at end of document

Borehole

The Agency therefore strongly recommends that borehole

headworks are completed above ground level (see example
Diagram b),particularly in
high-risk situations such as farms
and industrial sites. Where
there is no alternative to a
below-ground completion,
exceptionally high standards of
headworks design, construction

Storage of chemicals and fuels close to and up-slope of a borehole

which is completed below ground, with no drain in manhole...

and ongoing maintenance and

Once polluted groundwater is always expensive, and

...resulting in contaminated drainage

(oils and chemicals) flooding the
chamber and polluting the borehole

often impossible, to clean up. The Agencys philosophy is

that prevention is better than cure.

protection are essential

(see example Diagram c).

Borehole location

Test pumping

The Agencys Policy and Practice for the Protection of

The Agency will normally specify a period of constant rate test

Groundwaterrecognises an inner source protection zone (zone

pumping for sources that require consent. However, even in

1) of 50 m (or a 50-day travel time 3, whichever is greater)

the case of licence-exempt sources we recommend that a short

around boreholes or wells used for potable purposes, within

pumping test be carried out (often referred to as a proving

which we would normally object to any activities that could

test), and that source owners take an interest in the results.

threaten those sources of supply. The MAFF Water Code (1998)

Water quality samples should be taken at the end of the test, to

prohibits many farm effluent handling or disposal activities close

determine whether the source is contaminated and whether the

to potable water supplies.

water is fit for the intended use. The latter issue falls within
the remit of the local Environmental Health department (see

When constructing new sources, therefore, it is important

footnote 1). In addition to quality sampling, it is important that

to bear these constraints in mind and apply the same

the pumping rates and water levels are measured accurately

precautionary principles as above. From the outset the client

before, during and after the pumping period.

and contractor are advised to discuss the siting of the borehole.

The information obtained can be used to select appropriate

It should be up-slope and remote from any potential source of

permanent pumping equipment. It also is a measure of the

pollution, including :

borehole performance at the time of drilling, and can be a

useful reference to indicate future deterioration in the borehole

fuel, chemical, slurry or silage tanks or areas

or pump performance, or overpumping of the aquifer unit

where these substances are stored or handled;

tapped by the borehole. Source owners are advised

septic tanks and effluent disposal drains;4

to keep records of borehole water levels during the

sewers or below-ground fuel pipes ;

operational life of the borehole. This may be a condition

poorly drained areas and areas subject to

of some abstraction licences granted by the Agency.

contaminated drainage run off.

Borehole records

Headworks completion

Source owners should obtain a copy of the drillers log,

It has become custom and practice for most domestic

showing construction details and strata penetrated, as well as

and farm boreholes, as well as many on industrial sites, to be

the pumping test results, from their contractor at the time of

completed below ground, in manholes. This is the least visually

construction and testing.

intrusive and may be necessary where land availability is

Although in the case of licence-exempt boreholes, source

severely restricted. However, from a source protection point

of view this makes them

owners are not obliged to, it is strongly recommended that

Bad practice - no grout behind casing,

no sealed base slab. No drain.

details of the borehole, including the location and drillers log,

highly vulnerable
to neglect and to

are sent to the local Environment Agency office5 . This then

pollution resulting from

allows Agency staff to protect the source from other activities

contaminated surface

that could potentially affect the source, for example proposed

drainage tracking directly

quarries, landfills, septic tank discharges or new boreholes.

down the borehole.

If we dont know about it we cant protect it.

No grout behind casing

See footnotes at end of document

At a glance

Location

Good Practice

Bad Practice

Objectives

Remote from and up-slope

At low points where

To avoid siting near potential

of any pollution sources.

contaminated drainage can

sources of pollution or where

collect. Near sources of

surface drainage can run into

pollution e.g. fuel/chemical

the borehole.

tanks/storage/handling areas.
(See example Diagram e).
Permanent Casing:

British Standard, oil industry

type

(API) standard or waterwell

Drainage or sewer pipes.

To seal off shallow unstable or

contaminated ground;

standard casing .
To seal off and prevent
material

Steel/ waterwell grade plastic.

tracking of contaminated
shallow groundwater and

jointing
diameter

Welded, screwed and socketed.

Push-fit.

Large enough to allow

Too small to allow

installation of dip tube(s) as well

installation of dip tube(s).

as rising main and power cable.

Small enough to provide an

Too large to allow effective

annulus of at least 50mm to

pressure grouting of annulus

8

allow effective pressure grouting .

between casing and borehole

wall.

depth

Normally at least 15m.

Inadequate seal.

In the case of open boreholes

Solid gravel.

surface water via the borehole

to the water table;
To prevent interconnection of
different aquifer layers;
To prevent uncontrolled
11
artesian discharges .

in rock, casing should be

inserted at least 3m into solid
rock. A greater depth may be
necessary to seal off unstable
or contaminated ground or
different aquifer units9.
flanges/seals

Square-cut casing, welded

No seal/flange plate. Rough cut

flange. Flanged and bolted

casing. Cut off too close to

borehole cap, with

base of chamber.

10
neoprene seal .

Grouting

Pressure grouting from base of

Grout poured from surface.

To seal off and prevent tracking

permanent casing up to surface.

Casing just driven not grouted.

of contaminated shallow
groundwater and surface water

Allow a minimum of 24 hours for

Drilling recommenced before

via the borehole to the water

grout to set before drilling deeper.

12
grout has set and hardened .

table.

Minimum annulus 38mm

Completion

Above ground, either in a pump

Below ground, and not sealed.

house or protected area not

subject to traffic.

See footnotes at end of document

At a glance

Manhole

Good Practice

Bad Practice

Objectives

Concrete, 150mm thick.

Concrete <100mm or natural

To prevent water or

ground.

contaminated drainage

13

Chamber:
base
sides

cover

drain

accumulation in the
Precast concrete sections,

Brick or blockwork,

manhole chamber, by

engineering brick or waterproof

not waterproofed.

minimising water entry and

rendered brick/blockwork

providing drainage out of the

(bonded to base).

manhole chamber

Load bearing to suit traffic.

Lightweight cover

Cover frame haunched and

(potentially damaged by

bonded to sides.

traffic). Frame not sealed

Water-tight seal

to sides. (See Diagram d)

25mm ID min. diam with

No drain, no soakway,

vermin screen, leading to

blocked drain or manhole

surface outlet or effective

constructed below water table

14

soakway .

or in waterlogged or poorly
drained ground.

chamber backfill

Low permeability material such

High porosity material in

as clay.

waterlogged or poorly drained

ground.

Dip Tubes15

25mm ID min. diam. Bottom

None provided.

Safe access to allow reliable

3m perforated at 100mm

Not deep enough.

water level measurement.

centres. Base with plug/bar to

Open ended (allows dipper to

prevent dipper running out of

run out of bottom).

Prevent splashing/high level

dip tube. Bottom at least 2m

Not perforated.

seepages giving spurious

below the pump intake level or

readings.

sufficiently below water table to

Venting

accommodate future changes in

Sealed to prevent contamination

water level (pumping and

of borehole, artesian discharge

natural). Removable plug in top.

or gas escape as appropriate.

Either totally sealed system for

Siting in a building or a

To avoid risk of accumulation

artesian boreholes for example

chamber which would

of toxic or explosive gases in

or manhole chamber/building

constitute a confined space.

borehole chamber storage

and storage vessels vented

according to guidance from
16
HSE . Borehole completed

above ground in an open

atmosphere.

Potential sources of ignition

17
vessels or buildings .

from electrical equipment

(including switchgear and
lights) close to borehole or in a
confined space (where there is
a risk of gas accumulation).

Flowmeter

Installed in accordance with

Fitted on short pipe runs, close

Where required by the Agency

Agency good practice

to bends and valves.

a meter should be calibrated,

installed and maintained to

guidance on metering

ensure accurate measurement

of abstraction quantities.
See footnotes at end of document

General schematic section of an abstraction borehole

Dip tube

(a)

Measuring
datum

Pump cable gland

Pump house
floor level

Bolted Flange & cap (minimum upstand 300m)

Borehole casing
(steel)

Superficial deposits
(soil, sands & gravels, clay

Rockhead

Pressure grout seal behind

casing (from base of casing
upwards) - minimum
thickness 38mm

Weathered zone
Borehole rest water level
Casing installed into rock head
minimum 3 metres into solid rock
Dip tube (consent condition)
(min 25mm I.D)
Clamp holding pump cable & dip tube to rising main

Bolted flange joints on rising main

(usually on larger diameter rising mains 75mm & above)

Borehole pumped water level

Rising main

The bottom 3m of dip tube should be perforated

Open hole (in well cemented strata) additional slotted
casing or screen & gravel pack may be required in
unstable or uncemented strata eg: sands & gravels

Electric cable to the

submersible pump

Dip tube down to within 2m of pump

(consent condition)
2.0 metres

Top of pump

Submersible pump
Dip tube (2m below pump intake)

Stainless steel pin through the bottom of the dip

tube to stop dipper going through the dip tube

Minimum 7 to 10 metre sump below the bottom of the

pump & the bottom of borehole for sediment accumulation

Bottom of borehole
Farm borehole.
Good practice above ground
headworks completion,
upslope of potential
sources of pollution.

EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE

This diagram is issued as guidance only

Above Ground Completion

RECOMMENDED GOOD PRACTICE

M/H cover

M/H cover support frame embedded

& haunched in class 1 mortar.

(b)

210mm thick class

B engineering
brick chamber walls to 4
sides
Chamber drain min
ID 11/2 x 37mm

Delivery
pipe

Dip tube
& cap

Pump cable & gland

Neoprene sealing gasket
between flange & CAD

Bolted flange
and cap

Vermin
gauze
cover

Delivery pipe to be
sealed around the
outside as it passes
through chamber wall

(Note: meter to
be installed in
accordance
with Agencys
good practice
guidelines.)

Borehole casing (steel)

Min distance
between top of flange
& concrete 300mm

Delivery pipe
protected
against frost
as appropriate

Chamber floor level

falling towards drain
Concrete
base min
150mm
thick

Dip tube
Rising main
Pump cable

Grout (minimum thickness 38 mm)

This diagram is issued as guidance only

Below Ground Completion

Acceptable GOOD PRACTICE

(Only where an above ground completion is impractical)

(c)

M/H cover support frame bedded

& haunched in class 1 mortar.

M/H cover

The manhole cover should be of suitable

heavy duty as to carry relevant traffic

Fall of GL away from

chamber cover

Note: Venting for methane or totally sealed system

(in accordance with H.S.E guide lines)

Haunching
should be below
top of brickwork
to ensure water
tight seal

210mm thick class

B engineering
brick chamber walls
to 4 sides
Chamber drain min
ID 37mm

Delivery
pipe

Dip tube
& cap

Delivery pipe to be
sealed around the
outside as it passes
through chamber wall

Pump cable & gland

Neoprene sealing gasket
between flange & CAD

Bolted flange
and cap

Compacted
clay back fill to
all 4 sides of
chamber

Flange welded to casing

Borehole casing (steel)

Min distance
between top of flange
& concrete 300mm

Chamber floor level

falling towards drain
Concrete
base min
150mm
thick

Dip tube
Rising main
Pump cable

Grout (minimum thickness 38 mm)

Note: Soakaway detail needs to

take account of ground conditions
ie permeability or a high water table

Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)

Other useful guidance

Manual on Treatment of Private Water Supplies (1993)

Other relevant guidance and regulations include:

MAFF

Environment Agency publications

Farm Water Supply Leaflet No. 1 - Protecting

Policy and Practice for the Protection of

your Water Supply (March 1971)

Groundwater (1998). This sets out the

The Water Code - Code of Good

Agencys approach to managing and

Agricultural Practice for the Protection of

protecting groundwater.

Water (October 1998)

Pollution Prevention Guidelines, which give

Health & Safety Executive

advice on certain potentially polluting activities:

Information Document HSE 847/4: Water

PPG 2 - Above ground oil storage tanks

Boreholes - Potential Hazard from Methane

PPG 4 - Disposal of sewage where no mains

Evolution (July 1990)

drainage is available
PPG 8 - Safe storage and disposal of used fuel oils

Others

PPG 9 - The prevention of pollution of

Groundwater Regulations 1998 (SI NO.2746)

Controlled Waters by pesticides

Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and

PPG 12 - The prevention of pollution of

Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations, 1991

Controlled Waters by sheep dip

Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE)

PPG 17 - Dairies and other milk handling operations

Regulations, 16th Edition

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Searching for groundwater, which explains

(COSHH) Regulations, 1995

the Agencys requirements for investigating

The American Water Works Association Standard for

new groundwater sources

Water Wells (ANSI/AWWA A100-90)

Groundwater source protection zones

Monitoring Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Water

Decommissioning redundant boreholes and wells

Supply Wells. Ciria Report 137

Metering abstractions - Information for spray

BS 879 Part 1 and 2, 1985 - water well casing

irrigation licence holders

Footnotes

Additional secondary casing or a slotted screen with

or without a gravel pack may be required in

The Environmental Health department of the Local

unconsolidated aquifers or unstable ground. In the

Authority has responsibility for checking the quality of

case of boreholes drilled under a groundwater

private water supplies, and has powers to condemn

investigation consent the Agency may stipulate that

sources unfit for human consumption

2

certain sections are sealed off.

Where the Agency issues consent to investigate a new

10 Essential if the borehole is artesian.

groundwater source we will stipulate certain

11 It is an offence to allow artesian water to run to waste

conditions relating to borehole construction and

(Water Industries Act 1991).

testing, which must be adhered to.

3

12 Many boreholes have been found to have a cavity at

A travel time of 50 days or less is from any point within the

the base of the permanent casing. This is likely to be

zone at, or below, the water table.

4

due to poor grouting or not drilling deeply enough

Discharges of septic tank effluent close to any

into solid ground before inserting the permanent casing.

drinking water supply borehole may require control

13 Where an above ground completion is not possible.

under the Groundwater Regulations (1998).

5

14 A soakaway will not work effectively if the manhole

Drillers are required by law to give prior notification

chamber is constructed in low permeability ground or

to the British Geological Survey of their intention to

below the water table.

drill any boreholes over 15m deep, and to send

15 Two dip tubes should be considered where water

completion records to them. Not all drillers do this,

level measurement is to be by manual dip meter and data logger.

and even if they do local Agency staff would not

16 Health & Safety Executive Water Boreholes

necessarily be informed of newly constructed

Potential Hazard from Methane Evolution HSE 847/4

licence-exempt sources.
6

July 1990. If a methane problem is envisaged the HSE

The casing strength should be designed to suit the

should be contacted for advice.

ground conditions and installation depth.

7

Steel is more rigid, robust and does not bend.

Requires a large enough diameter borehole from

17 Methane can be found naturally or be derived from

landfills or other sources. Hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide
can be emitted naturally. These pose a potential hazard where

the outset. Reductions may be necessary because of

man access is necessary into a confined space.

unstable ground.

EXAMPLES OF BAD PRACTICE

Below ground completion
BAD PRACTICE

(d)

Ground level falling towards BH chamber

Concrete or metal
M/H cover support
frame not bedded
on cement or mortar

M/H Cover of insufficient strength for

vehicular traffic (if required)

Borehole casing & cap finished

off too low down in the chamber
Water ingress

Concrete rings

Concrete ring joints not sealed

Water ingress
Round metal plate supporting
pump installed on top of the
rough cut casing
Porous loose backfill (bricks &
rubble behind concrete rings will
encourage ingress of water into
borehole chamber)

Delivery pipe access

not sealed

No waterproof rendering on the

inside/outside of concrete rings
(if not naturally waterproof)

No dip tube
No chamber drain

Ingress of chamber water through pump cable

hole or through the rough cut casing gaps
Rising main
Thin concrete base

No grout behind borehole casing

Hazardous spill
EXAMPLE OF BAD PRACTICE OF HEADWORKS COMPLETION
& CHEMICAL STORAGE NEAR TO BOREHOLES

(e)

Rising-main
Power cable to
submersible pump
Rising-main clamp

Dip-tube

Borehole casing
(Cut off too close to floor level)

CONTACTS:
THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY HEAD OFFICE
Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD.
Tel: 01454 624 400 Fax: 01454 624 409
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk

NAT I O NA L G RO U N DWAT E R & C O N TA M I NAT E D L A N D C E N T R E

Olton Court, 10 Warwick Road, Olton, Solihull B92 7HX.
Tel: 0121 711 5885 Fax: 0121 711 5925 E-mail: ngwclc@environment-agency.gov.uk
Internet World Wide Web: http://www.environment-agency-gov.co.uk/gwcl

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