Water Availability & Quality Dr Cheryl Case 2 February 2007

The Strategy Arrow ONE PLANET LIVING Avoiding dangerous climate change Maintaining & enhancing the natural asset base Licence to Operate High Impact Policies High Level Goals Mission Energy Water availability and quality Food and farming Waste (re-use, recycling, composting, energy from waste) Land use Marine environment The essential things that we have to get right before we can hope to achieve our mission e.g. Emergency planning Flood Management

Questions raised due to the drought present How effectively are we managing demand and balancing it with environmental needs? Do we have the right framework in place? How well are we communicating with the public?

Key Water Outcomes Climate change proofed - both mitigation and adaptation Value for money and affordable To meet current and future water demand, which is sustainable To improve water quality and the ecologywhich it supports

This will have multiple impacts on water including: Climate Change UK climate impact scenarios predict an increase in temperature, with wetter winters and drier summers Reduced water availability & environmental quality Changes in the pattern, duration and frequency of droughts and precipitation Increased public demand

Climate Change, Energy and Water Supply and treatment of drinking water and removal and treatment of sewage used 8,100 GWh of energy in 2004/5 4.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions Predicted increase in water demand = more energy used for abstraction, treatment, and supply and subsequently in wastewater treatment and disposal Additional household energy consumption due to personal water consumption

Water Smart Homes and Businesses Consumer education Rainwater harvesting and Greywater reuse Efficient water fittings

Past Trends in Water Consumption Environment Agency data shows household water consumption has risen by 70% over the past 30 years mainly due to the introduction of water demanding appliances.

Reduce leakage Statutory 25 year water resource management plans Resource Management Increase rate of metering in areas of serious water stress Levels of water stress Serious water stress

Water Strategy Better public appreciation of the value of water and the consequences of wasting it Water smart consumers, housing and industry A water industry contributing fully to national energy and carbon targets A coherent, focused policy framework which is resilient to climate change A water sector contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of the natural asset base

Partnership Working Water Strategy Website online by the end of February Series of Stakeholder Engagement workshops on key areas during spring 2007