This presentation formed part of the Farming Futures workshop 'Irrigation in a changing climate: save water, save money, get fit for the future'.
17th November 2009
Local Water resources: availability and pressures - Claire Anderson and Claire Walker (The Environment Agency)
1.
2. Local water resources –
availability and pressures
Claire Anderson & Claire Walker
Principal Environment Planning Officers - Water Resources
17th November
5. Future pressures on
water resources
1) Population and
growth
Another 20 million by
2050?
3 million new homes by
2020
Worst case scenario – 13
more Kielder Reservoirs
or 30 more Rutland
Waters
6. Future pressures on water resources
2) Climate change
Reduced resources
Lower river flows
Shorter season for
recharging groundwater
More vulnerability to
flooding and drought
Increased demands
Changes to quality
A different environment
8. Changing legislation: Trickle Irrigation
Currently exempt from the need
for a water abstraction licence
Likely to become licensable
from October 2010.
After this date all current and
future TI operations will need to
apply for an abstraction licence
One year transition period
9. In summary……..
Water is already scarce
Pressures will increase from population growth
Climate change will further increase these pressures
We need to act on what we know the future will bring,
and plan for what the future might bring
YOU need to act to ensure water for YOUR business
10. How?
Efficiency
Auditing/ benchmarking
Leak checking
• no flow/ meter alarms
Irrigation scheduling
New technologies
• Irrigation technologies
• Reuse/ recycle
11.
12. How?
Security of supply
Reservoirs
Education/ rights/ communication
Water Abstractor Groups
Alternative sources
Rainwater
Directly abstracted
Mains
17. Your challenge
Understand the VALUE of water to your
business
Understand the COST of water wastage to
your business (including energy costs from
pumping etc.)
Increase efficiency
ONLY THEN consider alternative supplies
18. Our Offer….
Support, education and advice on water
efficiency
Promote use of high flow storage reservoirs
Encourage water abstractor groups (WAGS)