The Environment Agency has published a report that forecasts severe shortages due to climate change and population growth if businesses and consumers do not reduce their water use.
In the report, "Water Resources Strategy for England and Wales", the Environment Agency sets out measures it believes should be implemented to help protect water resources to 2050 and beyond, including the universal metering of households, a review of the structure of the water industry and actions to reduce water consumption to help lower the country’s carbon emissions.
Water resources are already under pressure in many parts of the country, with some 25 million people living in areas where there is less available water per person than Spain or Morocco. The average Briton currently uses 148 litres or some 260 pints, every day.
The report argued that while climate change will lead to more frequent heavy downpours and increase the risk of flooding, it will reduce the amount of water available in rivers in England and Wales by ten to 15 per cent by 2050. In summer months, which are expected to be drier, it may be as much as 80 per cent.
Population is the other factor putting enormous pressure on water resources. Britain's population is expected to increase by 20 million in the next 40 years.
The report made the following recommendations:
- Metering. Water companies need to implement near-universal water metering of households, prioritising the most water stressed areas of England. Metering should be accompanied by suitable tariffs to provide an incentive to reduce use and to protect vulnerable groups.
- Water industry and regulation: a complete review of the way the water industry is regulated. Stronger incentives should be introduced that reward water companies for reducing the amount of water provided.; a further review of the structure of the water industry to enable better sharing of water across company boundaries; the introduction of water reduction targets for different categories of use (for example, the food industry already has a target of a 20 per cent water demand reduction by 2020); a requirement for water efficient products and regulations for new buildings; a possible reduction or removal of VAT on water efficient products such as washing machines to influence consumer choice and to make water efficiency a bigger factor in buying decisions; an enhanced and extended water efficiency labelling system for all appliances that use water; more stringent water efficiency standards for fixtures, fittings and appliances; and tighter water efficiency standards in planning conditions for new buildings in areas where water resources are under most pressure.
The Environment Agency’s new strategy also highlights the close link between water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The transport, heating and treatment of water accounts for over six per cent of the UK’s carbon footprint - greater than aviation in the UK - and the near-universal metering of households in England and Wales could reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to between 27 and 40 per cent of the total UK Carbon Reduction Commitment target.
The Environment Agency’s Chief Executive, Dr Paul Leinster, said: "Water is essential for life and vital to our economy. But climate change and population growth mean there may not be enough water in England and Wales in the future for people and the environment unless we start planning and acting now.
"People and businesses need to use less water and wasting water needs to cost a lot more. The proposals in our new strategy cover actions that need to be taken by water companies, Government, regulators, businesses and the public, and we need a joined up approach to this problem to prevent it becoming a crisis."
For more information go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk
