Jersey groundwater 2002

Groundwater levels remained healthy throughout the year, and in some areas groundwater levels have been showing a positive trend for some years. A continued decline in nitrate concentrations in Jersey groundwater reflects improved agricultural practise. This rapid response to changed agricultural practice reflects the shallow depth to water over much of the island. Concentrations of other ions tend to remain stable with seasons and years. Chlorthal continues to occur in groundwater with high concentrations at some sites. Like nitrate, its presence seem to be declining. In order to optimise the use of the groundwater data sets that area being collected it is recommended that the existing spread sheets be imported into a spatially referenced database. This will allow trend analysis to be carried out with ease and will greatly improve understanding of the island-wide water resources. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the creation of a post of Senior Hydrogeologist in order to facilitate the issuing of robust and defensible groundwater abstraction licenses.