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  "path": "/2026/05/20/geological-mapping-of-berwicks-water/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-20T13:45:48.000Z",
  "site": "https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk",
  "tags": [
    "BGS website",
    "Till and Tweed catchment",
    "© Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency copyright",
    "here"
  ],
  "textContent": "Outcrop of the geology (Ballagan / Cementstone Formation) at Burnmouth beach, just north of the border in Scotland. The geology here gave an indication of geology and estimated depths for the different rock types underlying Berwick.\n\nMy name is Diane Steele and I am a Senior Groundwater Technical Specialist in the Environment Agency’s Groundwater and Contaminated Land team for the North East area.\n\nOur team is responsible for the regulation and management of water abstraction licences to protect the groundwater in our area. Therefore, we need to consider any implications on the future availability of water and climate change impacts whilst reviewing existing and future abstraction licences in the catchment.\n\n**Updated geological mapping**\n\nCore rock samples of the geology underlying Berwick obtained during drilling of a new borehole in March 2026 to confirm the geological formations and rock properties for the revised geological maps and boundaries. Around 70 metres of core was collected from the new borehole.\n\nIn 2022, we commissioned British Geological Survey to undertake a modern re-survey of the Fell Sandstone Formation and surrounding strata to improve our understanding of the regional groundwater system. This has now been turned into a Geological Story Map that has just been published on the BGS website. Before then the last geological survey of the Berwick area was back in 1922.\n\nThis updated mapping will help us when considering extensions to abstraction licences, where we require good quality and up to date information on the water environment, including an understanding of the geology, hydrology and hydrogeology.\n\nEach catchment has a Common End Date (CED) for abstraction licences, at which point we have to consider the impact from the abstractions and the on-going need for the water use.\n\nThe Till and Tweed catchment - which wholly falls within the Environment Agency’s North East Area - has a Common End Date of 31 March 2027, which is fast approaching.\n\n**Conditions**\n\n© Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency copyright\n\nThe geology of north Northumberland, along the border with Scotland, is very complex comprising of three main formations including the Fell Sandstone, Ballagan (Cementstone) and Scremerston Coal Measures.\n\nThe Fell Sandstone Formation is the principal aquifer supplying drinking water to the Berwick‑upon‑Tweed area and is a vital resource for farming and industry across the Till and Tweed catchment within England.\n\nDue to the complexity, there are gaps in understanding of the geology and hydrogeology of the area resulting in difficulty undertaking our regulatory role in protecting groundwater for the area.\n\n**Abstractions**\n\nMany abstraction licences within the catchment have a time limit of 31 March 2027, at which point we will assess their sustainability and whether they can be renewed for up to a further 12 years.\n\nOver the past 10 years increased public and private water demand across the area has led to declining water levels and sustainability concerns. Understanding the geology of the aquifer is therefore critical to support our efforts to regulate and manage water abstraction effectively.\n\n**Outputs**\n\nThe outputs of this and other linked projects will ultimately help to fill our knowledge gaps and assist in the production of a numerical groundwater model that will help us fulfil our regulatory role, particularly to tackle any Water Framework Directive (WFD) failures and ensure abstractions are sustainable.\n\nThe 2022 geological survey is expected to be included in the next cycle of Berwick geological maps, expected around 2028.\n\nMore information on how we make sure there is enough water for the future needs of both people and the environment is available here.",
  "title": "Geological mapping of Berwick’s water",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-20T13:46:24.000Z"
}