EA to reclassify seven regions as water stressed

The Environment Agency has proposed moving seven more water companies’ regions to water stressed status meaning they must evaluate introducing compulsory metering.

As part of a consultation on water stress it suggests moving Severn Trent, South Staffs, Wessex, Portsmouth, Cambridge, Bournemouth and the Isles of Scilly from ‘not serious’ to ‘seriously’ water stressed.

They would join Anglian, Affinity, Essex and Suffolk, South East, SES, Southern and Thames on a list that will have enhanced protections for environment and to safeguard supplies.

The consultation, which runs to March, will provide evidence on resources and allow areas under greatest pressure to adopt more stringent efficiency measures to manage supplies and protect waterways.

Companies in serious water stress areas are required to publish a water resources management plan (WRMP) setting out how to manage demand.

The EA will create water stress maps with data from water companies and the National Framework for Water Resources to consider a long-term view of water availability to 2050. This will include environmental needs, such as chalk streams, what the impacts of climate change and population growth are on resources and consider improvements to leakage and water efficiency.

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the EA, said: “Climate change and population growth mean that if we don’t take action now, in around 25 years water demand will exceed availability in many areas. But before we reach that point the first thing to suffer is the natural environment and we are already seeing this happen.

“Turning this around will require a society-wide effort. Water companies, government, the Environment Agency, farmers and individuals have roles to play. In that spirit, we welcome views from all individuals and organisations on the approach and potential solutions.”

Last year the EA, Defra, Ofwat and CCW wrote to water companies about accelerating investment in a Green Recovery. Plans are now being evaluated to put into action.

Emma Clancy, chief executive of the CCW, said: “Securing water supplies for future generations will be impossible unless we all work together to reduce the demands we place on our water resources. Water companies must lead by example by driving down leakage while working with their local communities to help them use water more efficiently.

“Metering can support these efforts and is already widespread across the south and east of England but we also work with consumers to help them understand the pressures on our existing water resources and how they can make a difference. There should always be a comprehensive support package in place to help households make the transition to metered charging.”

The upcoming Environment Bill is expected to include a target for water consumption and water efficiency standards for new-build homes.