Environment Agency (England and Wales) moves to stop rivers running dry

[Editor]

New figures released today by the Environment Agency show that rivers across the country are being restored to a healthier state due to tighter rules on the amount of water being taken from them by water companies, businesses and agriculture.

Over 590 miles of rivers, including the Derwent in Yorkshire and the Stour in Kent, have had their levels and flows restored, with some 55 billion litres of water each year returned to the environment – equivalent to the annual domestic water usage of 850,000 people.

But the Environment Agency warned that action is required to reduce the amount of water taken from rivers at a further 210 sites across England and Wales.

New analysis suggests that with climate change and population growth many rivers could be up to 80 per cent lower during the summer in the next 40 years – increasing the challenge of ensuring there is enough water for people, business, farmers and the environment.

Businesses across the country use billions of litres of water each day in their operations – much of it taken from rivers. Abstraction licences determine the amount that can be taken, but in many cases decades of unsustainable abstraction have caused problems for rivers and wildlife.

The Environment Agency’s Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme seeks to identify, investigate and solve environmental problems caused by abstraction licences. Its aim is to protect water levels in rivers, lakes and marshes, improve wildlife habitats and ensure the protection of endangered species.

Restoring water levels

The Environment Agency is continuing to work to restore water levels at around 210 locations, and funding has been secured so that water companies can improve 150 sites by 2015, benefiting over 1,100 miles of river and 200 square miles of wetlands.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:

“We have seen over the last year the problems that a lack of water can create; environmental damage caused when rivers run low, farmers unable to irrigate their crops and some water companies taking steps to protect water supplies.

“These figures demonstrate the Environment Agency’s success in restoring our rivers to protect them for future generations, but we will need to continue to take action to ensure our rivers keep flowing.

“The publication of ‘Water for Life’ last year set out our plans to continue improving the condition of our rivers by reforming the water abstraction regime."
Improving 600 miles of rivers

Ian Barker, the Environment Agency’s Head of Water, Land and Biodiversity, said:

“Many abstraction licences were granted decades ago and did not impose the conditions that we have in place today to protect our environment.Through our programme of investigations and actions we have improved 600 miles of rivers helping to protect the environment for people and wildlife

“But there is still a lot to do. And it will require businesses to use water more efficiently, reducing the amount they take from rivers that are under pressure.

Water is a precious resource and we have to use it wisely. The amount of water used by business and people is directly linked to the amount water there is in our rivers for fish and other wildlife. The Environment Agency works to balance the water needs of people, business, farmers and the environment.”

The news on abstraction comes as parts of England prepare for drought this summer – after an exceptionally dry winter left rivers and groundwaters low. Water levels are very dependant on winter rainfall filling up rivers, lakes and underground water sources, and with some areas of the country having now seen the driest 12 months since records began, pressure on water resources is set to increase.

Find out more about the Environment Agency’s Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme

Case Study: River Darent

The River Darent, rises on the northern rim of the Weald of Kent and flows through a deep North Downs valley before running into to the River Thames, and provides a habitat for many important flora and fauna. These species have suffered in recent dry years, when flows in the mid catchment dried up completely. In the last 20 years the EA has reduced licensed abstraction by 36.5 megalitres a day in the catchment area. As a result, the river no longer dries out completely during dry periods and we have seen an improvement in flow sensitive wildlife, such as brown trout and river limpet. Prior to this work, drought years devastated parts of the river. Further abstraction reductions are planned before 2015 to improve the river.