Businesses must act over unsustainable water abstraction
In a recent briefing, Minister for Environment and Agri-Environment Elliot Morley, described the number of licences to abstract water from surface and groundwater sources as “unsustainable”. He highlighted the plight of southern England, where “Chalk streams run dry in summer, causing all sorts of ecological damage” as a result of water abstraction. Mr Morley warned that licensing would have to be “reined in” by withdrawing some of the 48,000 existing licences and that the government will encourage farmers to build more reservoirs.
This news is a cause for concern among businesses that rely heavily on their rights to abstract water.
The Environment Agency is currently reviewing water abstractions in areas where potential damage to important wildlife habitats has been identified. Under the European Habitats Directive, over 500 UK sites have been classified as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs) in order to protect certain habitats and species Where water abstractions are located upstream of these cSAC sites, assessments are being undertaken to determine whether these pose a threat to the site. Where a threat is identified, the Agency will seek to reduce and/or revoke some of the abstraction licences.
“Businesses need to start thinking ahead and take a pro-active approach to planning for resource usage changes” said Dr Ric Horobin, Water & Environment Manager at specialist consultancy Zenith International. “Recent improvements in efficiency and water recycling have helped, but there is a limit to how much water can be saved. Companies will need to ensure continued dialogue with the Environment Agency in order to protect their interest. Strategic water resource planning will need to be embraced on a broader scale”.
Zenith offers a comprehensive groundwater advisory service, assisting with the safe development and protection of groundwater resources across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Anyone wishing to discuss environmental impact assessment, abstraction licensing or other water resource issues should contact Dr Ric Horobin or Zeb Etheridge at Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 or e-mail gw@zenithinternational.com
Note for Editors
For further information, please contact:
Dr Ric Horobin or Zeb Etheridge, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath, BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithwater.com
This news is a cause for concern among businesses that rely heavily on their rights to abstract water.
The Environment Agency is currently reviewing water abstractions in areas where potential damage to important wildlife habitats has been identified. Under the European Habitats Directive, over 500 UK sites have been classified as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs) in order to protect certain habitats and species Where water abstractions are located upstream of these cSAC sites, assessments are being undertaken to determine whether these pose a threat to the site. Where a threat is identified, the Agency will seek to reduce and/or revoke some of the abstraction licences.
“Businesses need to start thinking ahead and take a pro-active approach to planning for resource usage changes” said Dr Ric Horobin, Water & Environment Manager at specialist consultancy Zenith International. “Recent improvements in efficiency and water recycling have helped, but there is a limit to how much water can be saved. Companies will need to ensure continued dialogue with the Environment Agency in order to protect their interest. Strategic water resource planning will need to be embraced on a broader scale”.
Zenith offers a comprehensive groundwater advisory service, assisting with the safe development and protection of groundwater resources across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Anyone wishing to discuss environmental impact assessment, abstraction licensing or other water resource issues should contact Dr Ric Horobin or Zeb Etheridge at Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 or e-mail gw@zenithinternational.com
Note for Editors
For further information, please contact:
Dr Ric Horobin or Zeb Etheridge, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath, BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithwater.com