20/02/12
The industry is working hard to come up with solutions to the short and long term problems we face over coming months and we look forward to discussing these with Ministers and other stakeholders at Defra’s water summit today.
Overall resources situation
• December’s rain, which was 100% of the long term average in most parts of the country, made a significant difference to some companies, removing their short term concerns about resources. However, in other parts of the country, particularly the East and South of England, the exceptionally dry spring last year is still having an effect.
• There are still soil moisture deficits in some areas, which means water is not percolating through to reach groundwater supplies. Many companies, even where reservoir levels are healthy, are reporting lower (and slower) than expected levels of groundwater recharge.
• As with most of last year, it is noticeable how localised weather and rainfall patterns have been. Adjacent companies have found themselves in very different positions as regards the resilience of their water supplies; an effect that has even been noticed within individual company resource areas. However, it is worth remembering that in parts of the country, particularly the North and West, rainfall has been fairly continuous for the past few months, and resources are very healthy for the time of year.
• January’s rainfall has been mixed, with areas that need it most reporting a below average level of rainfall. Many companies now say they will need sustained rain over the next few weeks to remove completely the possibility of restrictions later this year.
Strategic collaboration already taking place – company to company
• In the Eastern area, companies are working together to secure resources in the event of the drought situation worsening. This option includes the use of a major EA operated support scheme (Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme, or EOETS). This will be extended to consider regional drought management options based on the existing transfers between companies in the East and South East.
• In the South East, there is a Water Resources in the South East group that meets regularly, and works on three levels: firstly to share information about short and medium term prospects, secondly to share best practice and communications messages, and thirdly on a long term strategic level, looking in detail at demand, and the way water resources could be used most effectively within the region
• In the South West, there are several areas where companies already share resources or have infrastructure in place to allow water to be shared in times of drought. In some cases, there is a shared reservoir, in others, companies, from the largest to the smallest, are considering ways of sharing resources to increase resilience.
Strategic collaboration – the wider picture and 'blue skies' thinking
• The industry prides itself on working collaboratively, innovating and providing solutions to industry problems. We will be holding an innovation day, ahead of Defra’s cross-industry resources meeting, bringing together senior members of the industry to consider how companies can strategically work best together, to ensure the nation’s resources are as resilient as possible.
Water UK Communication
