Controlling the Artesian Boreholes of the South Lincolnshire Limestone

This paper describes (i) a long-established, serious and growing problem in a part of the Anglian Region of the National Rivers Authority due to uncontrolled leakage of groundwater from old artesian boreholes (‘wild bores’) in the South Lincolnshire Limestone aquifer, and (ii) a remedial project recently undertaken by the Authority. The paper discusses (a) the nature of the problem and its implications for water resources, (b) the means employed to carry out the work, (c) environmental considerations, and (d) the results of the project.