§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they have taken to secure water supplies in the event of a hot, dry summer.
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)While skilful resource management and average rainfall last winter restored the levels of most surface water reservoirs, the cumulative effect of two hot, dry summers and three relatively dry winters has severely reduced the levels of water stored underground in aquifers. In parts of the South East and East, some groundwater levels are at the lowest recorded for the time of year.
The prime responsibility for ensuring the adequacy of water supplies rests with the water companies, under the Water Act 1989. But the National Rivers Authority (NRA) is responsible for abstraction licenses and for ensuring that water resources are used judiciously. I have therefore been consulting my noble friend Lord Crickhowell, Chairman of the NRA, about the measures that have been taken to secure water supplies should we see a return to hot, dry weather this summer. This statement reflects these consultations.
6WAContingency planning to overcome potential difficulties has been carried out, drawing on experience gained over the past two years. Supported by Government, the NRA has placed particular emphasis on the need for close liaison with the water undertakers and other interested parties such as the National Farmers' Union (NFU). A number of ad hoc groups are also in place for assessing the situation and developing plans to alleviate possible difficulties. In accordance with the contingency plans developed in this way, appropriate measures are being phased in as the situation demands.
Among the first steps aimed at conserving resources has been the widespread use of publicity campaigns to alert the general public, industry and agriculture to possible shortages of water. Such campaigns have been promoted both by the NRA and water supply undertakers through the press, radio, television and also the distribution of leaflets, public meetings and visits to schools. These campaigns are planned to continue throughout the summer in areas at risk and are generally aimed at increasing awareness of the situation and encouraging the wise use of water.
Plans to use water resources to best effect are being implemented as necessary by reducing abstractions from sources that are running low, such as aquifers in the South East, while increasing supplies drawn from rivers and reservoirs. Where appropriate, existing pipeline links have been supplemented by advancing the construction of those planned for the future or by laying temporary pipes. Also, in some cases water companies and the NRA have applied to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment for drought orders authorising increased abstractions or reduced discharges, which has helped to refill reservoirs during the winter and secure additional resources for the summer. And water companies in some areas have been able to develop new boreholes or recommission previously abandoned sources.
To reduce demand, water companies have introduced hosepipe or sprinkler bans in the affected areas and these have been shown to produce worthwhile savings. A sprinkler can use in one hour as much water as an average family in one day, or even more; indeed, when demand is high in summer, bans are sometimes necessary because distribution systems cannot cope.
In collaboration with the NRA, and in consultation with NFU and others, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has sought improvements in the way that water is applied to crops and the manner in which restrictions should best be imposed. The result is a leaflet on good irrigation practice. Apart from the potential savings in the use of water, the guidance provides for early warning by the NRA of the need to impose restrictions on spray irrigation practice. Apart from the potential savings in the use of water, the guidance provides for early warning by the NRA of the need to impose restrictions on spray irrigation. It is now being applied in the NRA's Anglian Region.
7WAIn the longer term, the NRA is making plans to ensure that resources are developed to meet demand into the next century. As a first step, the NRA has published a preliminary survey of the prospects for public water supplies to the year 2011, in a report entitled Demand and Resources of Water Undertakers in England and Wales, copies of which are available in the Library.
In addition, the NRA is investigating options for the strategic development of water resources, including major new water transfer schemes. It is taking a fresh look at options hitherto considered uneconomic, such as national grid and desalination, and expects to publish initial results this autumn. These results will then contribute to the NRA's development of a broad national development strategy to meet expected demand from all sources.