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Wat-er great discovery!

Peter Devine
15/ 8/2007

A NEW £27 million school in Stockport could become the first in the country to have its own underground water supply.

The Stockport Express can reveal that the new state-of-the-art Avondale Academy in Edgeley is preparing plans to pipe in water after unsuspecting workmen drilling a geo-thermal hole to a depth of 100 metres (325 ft), to regulate the building's air temperature, accidentally hit an untapped spring.

The 1,150-pupil school is due to open in September but a spokesman for the United Learning Trust, which is behind the project, said the finding would not affect its opening plans.

However, he said it could result in the school having a direct source of fresh water.

The spokesman explained: "About two weeks ago we were doing some drilling on providing the school with geo-thermal technology and they drilled into an underground lake. at around 80 metres (260ft).

"As a result we are obviously looking at the opportunities that this discovery could offer. We need to check with the appropriate people to ensure there is enough water down there and that it is safe for pupils to use. However, that doesn't mean we will be bottling it and selling it!"

Councillor Sheila Bailey, a governor at Avondale Academy, joked: "I think this might be the first school in the country to possibly have its own water supply. However, I don't see us competing with the likes of the Buxton Spring, as that is a commercial operation. But all sorts of things spring to mind such as providing the children of Edgeley with water which has a high mineral content.

"To my mind that should give them a definite spring in their step. We will just have to wait and see; but hope springs eternal." Richard Felton, of United Utilities said: "It is possible for organisations to run and manage their own water supply on private premises.

"But while we are impressed that teachers fancy themselves as budding water engineers, any scheme of this nature would have to meet rigorous industry regulations. Some of the main issues would be around water safety and water quality for instance."