The driller moved in to Hoe Grange this week, but what are they looking for? oil???
Unfortunately not, although an equally precious resource for a dairy farmer - this drill is looking for water. With the average dairy cow drinking around 100 liters of water every day our heard of 120 cows, along with 150 younger animals, gets through an awful lot of water, all of which, unless you are lucky enough to have a spring supply, has to come down a pipe and through a water meter! So with a water bill that runs into thousands of pounds a year it's time to look for an alternative, especially in the current economic climate.
Being on top of a limestone hill means that water is a long way under ground, probably somewhere between 100 and 150 metres. When the drill finally reaches water it will be tested to ensure it is clean and pure, then an electric pump will be installed at the bottom of the shaft, pumping the water to the surface. It will then be collected in a holding tank before being pumped around the farm for cattle to drink and for cleaning the buildings. If the water is of suitable quality it may be treated to reduce the hardness and used in our holiday cabins and our own home!!
So keep drilling lads, and if you do find oil by mistake I won't complain!!
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