Engineering Water Security for One of Britain's Leading Soft Fruit Growers
Following a competitive tender process, Drift was appointed to deliver a high-capacity water abstraction borehole for one of the UK's leading soft fruit producers.
The Challenge
Following a competitive tender process, Drift was appointed to deliver a high-capacity water abstraction borehole for one of the UK's leading soft fruit producers.
The borehole was required to support two critical functions: increasing the volume of water available for irrigation across an expanding agricultural operation and supplying water to a lagoon used as part of a water-source heating system.
The geology beneath the site is renowned for its exceptionally hard and abrasive formations, demanding careful selection of drilling techniques and tooling to achieve a successful outcome.
The Solution
Drift adopted a combination of water flush and mud flush drilling techniques using a top-drive rotary drilling rig to maintain positive pressure within the borehole throughout construction.
The borehole commenced using 610mm diameter tooling to a depth of 30 metres, after which permanent 458mm diameter steel casing was installed and fully grouted into position.
This approach prevents the downward migration of surface water into the aquifer and establishes a robust sanitary seal, fully aligned with Environment Agency best practice guidance.
The borehole was completed using carefully selected wrapped screens surrounded by a fine filter sand pack to reduce the risk of sediment ingress and protect the long-term integrity of the pumping equipment.
Comprehensive testing was undertaken in accordance with the Environment Agency's specification, including a four-stage step test followed by a 48-hour constant rate pumping test at 30 litres per second.
The Outcome
The completed scheme provides Hall Hunter with additional water capacity to support ongoing expansion while strengthening the resilience of both irrigation and heating infrastructure.
The project demonstrates how carefully engineered groundwater solutions can support modern agriculture whilst protecting valuable groundwater resources.
Technical Highlights
- Competitive tender success
- 610mm borehole construction
- 458mm permanent steel casing installation
- Top-drive rotary drilling techniques utilised
- Wrapped screen completion design
- Fine filter pack installation
- Four-stage step test completed
- 48-hour constant rate test undertaken at 30 litres per second
Project Impact
- Additional irrigation capacity supporting expansion plans
- Water source heating infrastructure supplied through lagoon recharge
- Reduced reliance on alternative water sources during dry periods
Turn water challenges into engineered solutions.