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Understanding Ireland's groundwater

Aquifer classification

The groundwater section have classified the different aquifer types in Ireland.  

 

Aquifer parameters

​The characterising of groundwater systems requires quantification of the factors that govern the ability of the system to store and transmit groundwater.  Thus a major task is the estimation or measurement of fundamental aquifer properties. Geological Survey Ireland has established regionalised aquifer properties described and captured in an aquifer parameters report.   ​​​

Groundwater Vulnerability

Groundwater Vulnerability is a term used to represent the natural ground characteristics that determine the ease with which groundwater may be contaminated by human activities. ​ The groundwater vulnerability concept is based largely on the question 'can water and contaminants move in the subsurface materials (soil and subsoil) and/get down to groundwater easily?' ​

Groundwater bodies

Groundwater bodies are subdivisions of large geographical areas of aquifers so that they can be effectively managed in order to protect the groundwater and linked surface waters.