Groundwater Assessment tools

Tools developed to assess risks to groundwater

SEPA has developed new tools to assess risks to groundwater. These tools include new aquifer and vulnerability classifications that been used to develop vulnerability maps.

Aquifer maps

The aquifer maps have been derived by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in consultation with SEPA. These maps have been produced for both the bedrock and the superficial deposits (unconsolidated geological material above the bedrock aquifer (eg sands and gravels)).

Superficial aquifer map (563k)
Bedrock aquifer map (174k)

Vulnerability map

The vulnerability map has been derived by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI) under contract to SNIFFER in consultation with SEPA, the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the Environment Agency (EA). It was produced to enable Scotland's groundwater bodies to be characterised as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Vulnerability map (244k)

Details on the concepts underpinning these maps together with guidance on the interpretation, appropriate uses and limitations of them can be found below: