THE WATER

In August 2000 water samples were analysed by the British Geological Survey, who concluded that:

• At least 95% of the water that emerges has an age in excess of 1,000 years, and no more than 12,000 years.
• The water is most likely to be between 6,000 and 10,000 years old.
• For the water to reach the temperature at which it emerges (47°C/117°F), it must have reached a depth of at least 2 kilometres.
• The water is heated by high temperature rocks some 2 kilometres below the surface to a maximum temperature of approximately 69°C.