This case involved a large irrigation reservoir that has been constructed so as to provide sufficient water for to sustain a major vegetable contract. Shortly after construction the reservoir liner membrane failed. An investigation revealed that the initial geotechnical investigation did not highlight the fact that the site of the reservoir was in an area of high incidence of solution features in the underlying chalk, despite the fact that this was readily available in the literature.

The site was remediated and the reservoir was rebuilt, at considerable extra cost and with the significant consequential losses resulting from the loss of a year’s vegetable supply contract. Harrison Geotechnical gave written and oral evidence in the case of professional negligence against the consultants.