GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE LAGAN VALLEY SANDSTONE AQUIFER, NORTHERN-IRELAND

Beneath Belfast and the Lagan Valley lies Northern Ireland's most impo rtant aquifer, the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone. Up to 300 m in thickne ss and with a total abstraction of around 31 000 m(3)/d, it is a modes t aquifer by UK and world standards; nonetheless, it is an important l ocal water source. The use of this aquifer system as a water supply wi ll undoubtedly increase as growth of industry and population continues in the Belfast metropolitan area. Even with the mesic climate of Irel and, groundwater mining of this aquifer system is already occurring, a nd thus there is a need for detailed aquifer planning and protection t o be implemented in order to preserve this resource for the future.