Publications
A new conceptual groundwater-flow system for the central South Downs aquifier, by N. S. Robins, D.Sc., M.Sc., B.Sc., C.Geol. (Fellow) and L. T. Dance, B.Sc., published May 2003 in Water and Environment Journal (vol. 17, issue 2, article, pp.111-116) View Online
Abstract:The central part of the South Downs Chalk aquifer is intensely used for public water supply. Although the aquifer has a long history of careful development and management, the outline conceptual groundwater-flow vision has not been formally investigated for many years. A major programme of work has now been completed which (a) provides a new insight into the hydraulic workings of the aquifer, and (b) highlights a number of hitherto poorly understood concepts controlling groundwater movement in the Chalk. These include the key role of geological structure and the occurrence of hard bands and karst-type groundwater flow as major controls over preferred flow-paths. The new conceptualisation concludes that the main discharge area for the aquifer is laterally to the north-south rivers and not directly southwards to the sea.