Hydrogeological Services
B. A. Hydro Solutions Limited (BAHS) are an industry leader in the production of technical reports; these cater to a wide range of customers to assess the feasibility or viability of a new ground water source.
If you are considering a new groundwater abstraction borehole a Hydrogeological Assessment (HGA) will provide you with essential information. Each of BAHS’ HGAs are bespoke, so each report acquires and collates geological, hydrogeological and hydrological information specific to your site. Each HGA report is peer-reviewed to ensure consistency of approach, data reliability and robustness of borehole design and predicted sustainable yield.
Each report includes, but is not limited to, information on:
– Geology and Lithology of the ground beneath your site.
– Hydrogeological properties from comparable water wells and boreholes.
– Calculated yield, seasonality of supply, impacts, etc.
– Water quality – drawing on our extensive database of water quality throughout the UK
– Local regulatory conditions
– Outline of potential flooding risk
– Borehole design(s)
BAHS appraises all sites ahead of starting, where success looks unlikely BAHS advise customers, giving them the option to avoid the cost of completing a report.
Ground Source Heating & Cooling
B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd (BAHS) have developed an in-depth practical and technical knowledge of Ground Source Heating and Cooling (GSH&C) over many years, and are expertly placed to provide technical, design and project management services in this field. GSH&C represents a vast and sustainable source of renewable heating and cooling potential when exploited using appropriately designed and installed systems.
BAHS support GSH&C manufacturers, installers, drillers and contractors enabling them to deliver industry-leading installations. BAHS are routinely involved with open and closed loop ground source heating projects ranging from 5kW to schemes in excess of 3.5MW, Recent projects include houses, power stations, schools, universities, museums, hotels, nursing homes, glass houses, warehouses, factories & industrial units.
The following provides a summary of the services offered by BAHS. We recommend contacting us to discuss client and project-specific services.
- GSH&C feasibility studies: Open Loop and Closed Loop
- Thermogeological Assessments
- Hydro-Thermogeological Assessments
- Thermal Response Testing (TRT) & Thermal Probing (TP)
- Consultancy Services, Project Management & Supervision
GSH&C feasibility studies: Open Loop and Closed Loop
B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd. (BAHS) design Ground Source Heating Systems. These insured designs allow any system installed to these specifications to be eligible for the renewable heating incentive. The first step in installing a ground source heating system is to carry out a Thermogeological assessment of the ground beneath the site. This characterises the ground, the lithological sequence of the ground beneath the site, the thermal properties that would be expected to be encountered and the expected rest water level. Each unit of the ground is assigned a thermal value, based on values from real world systems. These values are then used to calculate the expected thermal properties of the ground beneath the site to a depth of 200 metres.
If a Thermogeological Assessment finds that the ground is potentially suitable for a Ground source Heating System the next stage of the process is to design a ground source heating system based on those values. The design is modelled using industry recognised software. The design qualifies any system installed to those specifications as eligible for the Renewable Heating Incentive as it currently stands and is covered by BAHS’s insurance.
If the design is then implemented a BAHS operative can be on site to witness the installation of the system to make sure that it has been installed correctly, collect information on the geology as the boreholes are being installed and feed this information back into the design in real time if any changes need to be made. This provides confidence in the installation and any unexpected events can be taken into account.
B. A. Hydro Solutions Limited (BAHS) complete Thermogeological Assessments (TGA) for a wide range of customers to assess the feasibility or viability of aclosed-loop ground-source heating (GSH) system to provide a new source of heating to your property. If considering a new closed-loop groundsource heating (GSH) system to provide heating to your property, a TGA will provide you with essential information to guide whether to develop the system.
Each bespoke TGA report acquires and collates sitespecific geological, hydrogeological and associated information, including:
- geology and lithology
- groundwater properties from nearby existing
- water wells and boreholes
- thermogeological properties
- mean ground and air temperature
- local regulatory requirements
- identification of possible geological issues
Key to the successful development of a GSH feasibility is the evaluation of thermogeological properties with depth based on the site’s unique geological and hydrogeological setting. This determines and predicts the likely thermogeological variability with depth, essential for a robust GSH system design. Based on the technical assessment, a summary of the anticipated geology and the corresponding thermal properties is presented.
Each TGA report is peer-reviewed to ensure consistency of approach, data reliability and robustness to ensure that the subsequent closed-loop design of a GSH system will be successful.
Hydro-Thermogeological Assessments
In some instances, there may be a greater incentive to install a closed loop ground source heating and cooling (GSH&C) system at the same site where an abstraction borehole is planned to be drilled instead of opting for an open loop GSH&C system. The reasons for such circumstances arising can include any of the following:
- There is insufficient groundwater to sustain an open loop GSH&C system but enough estimated yield to provide a domestic scale supply with ample water (i.e. <20 cubic metres of groundwater is available per day and the required peak output of the heat pump exceeds ~15 kilowatts).
- The timescales and costs required to licence an open loop GSH&C system with the Environment Agency or other regulatory body far exceeds the available construction phase timescales of a project.
If either or both of the above bullet points apply to your project a Hydro-Thermogeological Assessment (HTGA) will provide you with the essential information you need. Alike all of BAHS’ reports, each HTGA’s is bespoke in acquiring and collating geological, hydrogeological and hydrological information specific to your site and estimating the thermal properties of the strata beneath the site too. Each HTGA report is peer-reviewed to ensure consistency of approach, data reliability and robustness of borehole design and predicted sustainable yield.
Each HTGA report includes, but is not limited to, information on the:
- Geology and lithology of the ground beneath your site,
- Hydrogeological properties from comparable water wells and boreholes,
- Calculated yield, seasonality of supply, impacts, etc.
- Water quality – drawing on our expertise database of water quality throughout the UK,
- Local regulatory conditions,
- Potential flooding risk(s),
- Borehole design(s),
- Thermal properties of each stratigraphical unit up to 200 metres below ground level,
- Likely drilling hazards that may be encountered,
As with regular HGA’s BAHS appraises all sites ahead of starting a HTGA; where success looks unlikely BAHS advise customers, giving them the option to avoid the cost of completing a report.
B. A. Hydro Solutions Limited (BAHS) operate three portable Thermal Response Testing (TRT) units and a large capacity trailer mounted unit. B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd. have been completing thermal response testing for almost 10 years across the UK and Europe.
All our TRT units are monitored by telemetry allowing both the field operator as well as a designated member of the office team to track the test in real time. The TRT units can be operated remotely and also include remote alarms. This means that it is not necessary to have someone on site all the time, if there are problems with pumps or heaters they can be switched remotely. Fluctuations in power supply, generator fuel levels and related issues can be identified from off-site and in most cases resolved before they jeopardise the test.
B. A. Hydro Solutions Limited (BAHS) offer a thermal probing solution for horizontal closed loop ground source heating and/or cooling systems. BAHS always recommend against customers commissioning desk studies to estimate the thermal properties of the shallow ground. Such reports are normally based on very limited data and result in very inaccurate estimates of thermal properties.
BAHS recommend all horizontal systems are designed following the completion of a shallow thermal probing survey. Such surveys measure in-situ thermal values which provide the most reliable values for use within a closed loop design.
BAHS are able to make thermal measurements in trenches immediately prior to the installation of loops. Alternatively, trial pits can be opened across a site allowing measurements of thermal values at regular intervals. Recently BAHS has added a new thermal probe to our extensive range of field tools. This allows holes to be augured across a site and for thermal probes to be inserted down the auger holes.
A domestic survey completed in trenches or trial pits would typically result in the collection of thermal values at 30 to 50 locations. Where auger holes are made before thermal probes are installed, a total of between 10 and 30 may be completed in a day.
The more in-situ thermal measurements of the shallow ground complete the better the understanding of the site and the more reliable the subsequent closed loop ground collector design. Large sites may need more than one day of testing or for two teams to survey at the same time for one or more days.
Representative samples can be collected and analysed in BAHS’s lab at our Cambridge office. The advantage of such testing is to measure changes in thermal properties as moisture content changes. This can inform a design to seasonal changes in the grounds ability to transmit heat and thus sustain heating or cooling requirements.
B A Hydro Solutions (BAHS) provide tailored consultancy services to suit individual requirements. Clients find the breadth of experience held by our staff and associates invaluable.
BAHS currently provide long term technical support services to water, drilling and construction companies, architects, planners, international NGO’s and private individuals.
Regulatory Compliance
B.A. Hydro Solutions Limited (BAHS) regularly undertake regulatory and compliance work relating to all aspects of the environment and water industry. BAHS’s experienced staff work with the Environment Agency and regulators to secure permission to proceed with regulated activities. BAHS work to ensure clients projects comply with conditions and requirements set down by the regulators. Our services cover the following regulated activities:
- Surface & groundwater abstraction licensing
- Impoundments and abstraction licensing
- Licence amendments & renewals
- Licence trading
- Management of annual [licence] returns & licence conditions
- Discharge permitting & land drainage consents
- Compliance with Private Water Supply Regulations
- Compliance with Water Resources Act
- Compliance with water quality conditions
- Metering services
- Environmental compliance monitoring
- Coal Authority Permit
- Legionella compliance monitoring
- PPC (Pollution Prevention Control) permitting alterations and adjustments
- Compliance with legislation in other territories
- Licensing and Compliance Services
Laboratory Services
The BAHS laboratory is located just south of Cambridge, and offers a wide range of water and geotechnical testing services to a variety of business and private clients. BAHS provide UKAS* and non-UKAS water testing services for regulatory and non-regulatory needs.
Our water testing services can include bacterial, physical and chemical parameters which are used to verify that the most common drinking water parameters are below regulatory limits. Results from non-UKAS testing can be available within hours of sample receipt [typically 24 hours], enabling clients to quickly understand the quality of their water, take appropriate actions without delay and to give confidence that a water supply is safe to drink.
Our geotechnical testing services include grain size, soil, rock and thermal analyses and characterisation. We also have trained staff to visit your site to take samples of water and/or soil on request. All staff are qualified to take samples which provides the reliability needed for some testing.
*Please note, UKAS water testing is conducted with a partner lab.
Water Quality:
BAHS offer analysis and reporting of water samples in as little as 6 hours from receipt of sample. The lab is able to receive and process samples Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays). We offer more than 50 tests on a same day, or next day service; these are not UKAS tests due to the rapid turnaround, although routine checks demonstrate the results are as accurate as UKAS tests. BAHS work in partnership with several local laboratories offering UKAS testing, and these results take up to 10 working days to complete.
Grain Size Analysis:
BAHS are able to quickly process samples and complete analysis of grain size distributions. Results can be used to determine screen slot sizes for abstraction boreholes, for filter processes and general characterisation of samples. Typically, samples need to be received before 4pm and results are reported by 10am the next working day.
Thermal Characterisation:
BAHS are able to measure the thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity, porosity and bulk density of soils, sediments, rocks, grout and almost any material. Samples are prepared and tested at our Cambridge lab, and results can be provided quickly depending on the requirement.
For porous materials the thermal properties can be measured with different moisture content. Disturbed and undisturbed samples can be tested providing a sufficient volume is received. The laboratory normally requires a 100x100x100 millimetre square sample.
Site Services
B.A. Hydro Solutions Ltd. has a separate site services division which undertakes all site services work. The team of geologists, field engineers and contract manager(s) coordinate all drilling, site surveys and testing. Services include:
- Thermal Response Testing
- Thermal Probing
- Water level, flow and quality monitoring
- Test pumping
- Soil, rock and water sampling
- CCTV/down hole, ROV and drone surveys
- Down-holes, surface and aerial geophysics surveys
All services offered are fully supported by experienced consultants with the option for factual and interpretative reports.
Drone & ROV
B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd. (BAHS) are proud to introduce our new range of drone mounted aerial surveying systems. Using our new commercial rated drone BAHS are able to complete the following surveys of land, water and buildings:
- Thermal imaging
- Infrared imaging
- Optical imaging (full HD)
- Normalised Density Vegetation Index (NDVI)
The imaging outputs allow a wide range of analysis and interpretation. Surveys can cover large areas in very short periods of time enabling the ground conditions to be characterised rapidly and cost effectively. Processing of survey images allows the production of accurate CAD plans, 3D images and virtual reality simulations.
CCTV & Geophysic
B.A. Hydro Solutions Ltd offer a down-hole CCTV and geophysics service for wells and boreholes. All the equipment used by BAHS has been developed and serviced by Robertson Geologging Ltd. The CCTV service is favoured by many customers including many water companies for its picture quality, speed and convenience. It is an essential tool for identifying steps towards borehole remediation.
The camera includes manual focus, 360° camera rotation and 180° pan and tilt option, auxiliary lighting option, control of camera descent/ascent speed, full colour and/or infrared footage, optional scaled ruler on view finder, high definition digital recording, depth counter on screen & real-time viewing of images.with the option for factual and interpretative reports.
Training
B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd. provide the following training:
- National Water Hygiene Training (EUSR)
- Water sampling and testing
- License and regulatory compliance training
