Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Groundwater Flooding
13.3.23 Groundwater flooding results from water rising up from the underlying rocks or from springs.
Groundwater flooding is most likely to occur in low-lying areas underlain by permeable
bedrock.
13.3.24 Generally, the topography of the site may suggest that groundwater could be drained
effectively towards the rivers crossing the site. The flatter parts of the site include deep peat
bogs where groundwater is likely to be permanently near the surface. During winter,
groundwater may appear at or just above the surface depending on the local topography and
the presence of forestry drains.
13.3.25 Localised groundwater flooding may occur within the limited floodplains along the Crosswood
Burn.
Artificial Drainage System Flooding
13.3.26 Due to the presence of active commercial forestry throughout the majority of the site, there
are numerous artificial networks draining water from the site.
13.3.27 Where systems are not maintained (e.g. build up of sediment or blockages are not removed),
the effectiveness and capacity of such drainage systems may become compromised and
flooding could occur.
Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
13.3.28 The Linhouse Water and Camilty Burn are monitored by SEPA under the Water Framework
Directive (WFD) for water quality and ecological status. The most recent classifications based
on data collected in 2010 are shown in Table 13.10 below.
Table 13.10 Surface Water Quality Classifications
River
Overall
status
Overall
ecological
status
Key pressures
Linhouse Water /
Camilty Burn
Poor Poor • Livestock farming (diffusion pollution)
• Barriers to fish passage
• Abstractions for public water supplies
13.3.29 The site is also underlain by two groundwater classification units, which are also assessed
and monitored by SEPA under the WFD for water quality and water resource status. The
most recent published classification results are from 2008 and are shown in Table 13.11
below.
Table 13.11 Groundwater Quality Classifications
Groundwater unit
Water
quality
status
Water
resource
status
Designations
Key pressures
Edinburgh and
Livingston bedrock
and localised sand
and gravel aquifers
Poor Poor Drinking Water
Directive
Groundwater
• Mining and quarrying (diffuse
source pollution)
• Livestock farming and
manufacturing (abstractions)
March 2013
13-13
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©
Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Ground Conditions