| The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the impacts of shale gas development on water resources in the Midlands region, concentrating on the interactions that exist between both resources, and with other competing users. The Midlands was selected because research focused on this region is lacking, despite its considerable shale gas prospects, and higher degree of water stress, compared to other shale prospective regions in the UK. The research project was carried out using a structured quantitative analysis of water and energy pathways, within the Midlands, coupled with the application of system thinking to capture the complexities in the feedback loops that exist in the development of shale gas resources. This research produced a number of key findings: large scale development of shale resources in the Midlands could result in water demand of between 2.5 – 5.7 million cubic meters of water; although this accounts for <1% of total water used in the region, water for shale gas development is likely to be sourced from the Sherwood aquifer, which is already under stress of over abstraction; and due to proximity between shale resources, this aquifer is also under risk of contamination, especially from the shallow Widmerpool Trough basin. Thus, from a macro level, although the Midlands is capable of supporting a large scale shale gas industry, there are key concerns that need to addressed to ensure that it is sustainable; this is possible through the development of shale gas policies in tandem water resource management policies. |
