Supporting Scotland's distilleries to secure sustainable sources of water and enhance resilience
Water is a key resource in the distilling and cooling process of producing whisky, meaning a sustainable source of water is key to the day-to-day operations and ongoing success of many Scottish distilleries. Water scarcity as a result of climate change poses a range of potential challenges to these distilleries, with an inevitable impact on production.
To support distilleries in increasing their resilience to climate change, we have provided services such as water resource assessments, hydrometric monitoring and water quality modelling to provide successful environmentally based water solutions. Read some of our most recent project examples below.
Identifying resilience measures to preserve water quantity and quality for Dalwhinnie Distillery
Dalwhinnie Distillery is Scotland's highest distillery, over 350 meters above Ordnance Datum. The distillery relies upon surface water for both its processes and for cooling. With this water being sourced from snowmelt and rainfall, the rising temperatures associated with climate change are likely to impact the quantity and quality of this water.
By conducting desk-based analysis to estimate the baseline flow duration curve, and also utilising existing sources of climate change information such as the Enhanced Future Flows and Groundwater (eFLaG) portal, we were able to estimate the effects of climate change. As a result, we identified solutions which could be implemented over time to enhance resilience. These included; tree planting to promote shading, exploring alternative sources of water, alternative cooling options and additional storage. This work was undertaken for Diageo working with Scottish Enterprise on the Water Innovation Grant.
Investigating the suitability of GlenDronach Distillery water sources to support expansion plans
GlenDronach Distillery wanted to increase production by increasing both process and cooling water. This required an investigation of the existing water supply to determine whether there was enough water in the catchment to support the proposed expansion, whilst also meeting environmental requirements.
This saw us undertake a twin-track approach of desk-based calculations and field-based asset inspections to determine whether sufficient water resources existed. This was achieved through flow duration curve derivation, abstract and recharge estimates, field measurement of flows and structure dimensions and visual inspections. Our work concluded that sufficient water resources were present in an average or wet year to support the expansion and that the existing infrastructure could accommodate this. We also made recommendations to enhance the security of the dry-year process water supply.
We have successfully assisted numerous existing and new distilleries in developing water solutions. This includes working with Diageo, Glenfiddich, Borders, Torabhaig and Ardross Distilleries, and many more. Read more here.
Utilising field hydrometry to identify a new water source at InchDairnie Distillery
Having identified a local watercourse as a potential source of process water, we supported InchDairnie Distillery in determining the viability and potential impact of water abstraction. Due to the very small catchment area of the watercourse, theoretical methods of water quantity estimation were likely to be limited, meaning an alternative source of data was required to help in abstraction optioneering.
Using field hydrometry, which included the installation of water level recorders, spot flow gauging and the development of stage discharge relationships, we were able to compare our findings against desk-based methods. As a result, we identified that desk-based methods had overestimated the field measurements. Through the use of field hydrometry and flow statistics, we were able to obtain more realistic data, which could be used in outline abstraction design. This information supported the successful application for an abstraction licence from SEPA.
Supporting sustainable groundwater supply abstraction for The Cairn Distillery
As part of the development of Gordon & MacPhail's new Speyside distillery, a supply of cooling water was required. Having identified groundwater abstraction boreholes as the preferred option, careful design was required to achieve this whilst promoting environmental best practice.
We successfully coordinated the feasibility assessment, design and construction, testing, and licensing of the groundwater abstraction boreholes. By considering the materials used and drilling techniques, we were also able to minimise the impact of the work on other water users and the ecological features of the adjacent River Spey. The distillery now benefits from the required sustainable groundwater supply, with the application having been approved by SEPA.
