The cleaning and casing of the hydrogeological borehole
As part of the Push-It project, a new hydrogeological borehole at Litoměřice has been established to monitor groundwater flow and quality. Located at a future site for underground heat storage, the borehole will play a key role in observing groundwater velocity, flow direction, and chemical composition at depths ranging from 100 to 400 meters.
The borehole is fully equipped with an optical cable for temperature monitoring and pressure gauges to measure groundwater levels. It will be openly accessible to hydrogeologists for regular sampling and chemical analysis.
The primary water source at the site is the Mesozoic Cenomanian aquifer, located at depths between 146 and 184 meters. Composed mainly of sandstone, this aquifer forms an important national drinking water reservoir extending beneath much of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. Due to the area’s geological complexity — with varying permeability, faults, and changes in lithology — the aquifer is not uniform and can even disappear in some locations.
Initial pumping tests have been conducted to assess the borehole’s yield. By lowering the groundwater level and observing its recovery rate, hydrogeologists can estimate the well’s capacity.
The borehole, fully cased with perforated plastic pipes at the Cenomanian horizon, allows groundwater inflow while maintaining structural integrity. Water samples are collected and analyzed for pH and conductivity during extended monitoring sessions. Once sample values stabilize, indicating minimal disturbance, the borehole is considered properly cleaned and ready for long-term monitoring.
This initiative represents a crucial step in understanding and managing underground water resources while supporting sustainable energy storage solutions.
PUSH-IT is a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101096566.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
