North East Area Magnesian Limestone Conceptual Model and Source Protection Zone Updates

Our ability to meet the requirements of the National Framework for Water resources will be underpinned by the availability of critical tools for the assessment, investigation and management of groundwater and its relationship to the wider natural environment. This is especially the case when it comes to our detailed understanding of key water supply aquifers and abstractions and whether/how they can be managed sustainably. The magnesian limestone conceptual modelling work will deliver a product that will improve our current understanding of the limestone aquifer across the North East. The source protection zone work will utilise the improved conceptual understanding to produce updated regulatory tools to protect the quality of key aquifers and water supply abstractions. With that updated conceptual model and source protection zones we will have a much more reliable decision-support tool for the major decisions that we need to take in line with the great ambitions of the EA2025 Action Plan and other similar aspirations for a healthy water environment.