29/03/09
In its announcement of a new water resources strategy for England and Wales, the Environment Agency today warns consumers and businesses to reduce water use to prevent severe shortages in the future.
The strategy highlights challenges from climate change and population growth to the availability of water at current levels of demand.
Painting an alarming picture of a water-stressed future, Agency leaders call on government, regulators, water companies, business and the public to play their part in a "joined-up approach to prevent problem becoming a crisis".
Core actions proposed include: imposing near-universal use of water meters; new tariffs to encourage water efficiency and protect vulnerable groups; incentives with targets for water companies to provide less water; homes and domestic appliances made more water-efficient.
The new water strategy should help stimulate debate and raise awareness of issues that can be forgotten among more immediate problems.
Water UK looks forward to working with the Agency and the many other groups who share responsibility for ensuring a sustainable water supply.
For water companies the two most important considerations are that policy should recognise:
• the need to protect already hard-pressed families from the additional costs implied in the Agency's proposals; and
• the need to develop new sources and means of storing water, as well as cutting demand.
Water metering - the implications
Environment Agency sets out plan to tackle future water shortages
EA press release
Ends
For more information please contact:
Water UK Communication
020 7344 1809 out of hours 07833 450544
Notes
1) Water companies are currently finalising 25-year water resource management plans, which have been widely consulted on and consider how demand for water should best be met.
2) The industry pursues a 'twin-track' water resources strategy involving a combination of demand management measures, including cost-effective metering, water efficiency and leakage management, and additional supply-side measures where these are needed.
3) Supply-side measures include improved connectivity and sharing of water within and between water company boundaries; new winter storage of water whne it is available in enlarged existing or new reservoirs; use of modern desalination technology.
4) Factors that need to be taken into account include population growth, demographic and lifestyle changes that impact the demand for water, climate change, and the impact of raw water quality on water availability.
