Business water: Droughts will increase unless abstraction overhaul takes place

14/12/2011

The Environment Agency has issued a warning that droughts will become more frequent unless the abstraction regime is overhauled.

Experts predict that businesses could face having no or little water, and high costs by 2050 if change to the UK water system does not occur.

Important water habitats and wildlife such as Salmon could also be lost.

In a series of reports the Environment Agency has claimed that demand could outstrip supply across Britain - not just in the water-stressed South East - through climate change and population growth.

Moreover, those areas already experiencing water stress are likely to see population increases of up the 40 per cent in the coming years, which will make the problem worse.

Short duration droughts of 12 to 18 months are also predicted to become more frequent and water conditions are expected to change.

To combat the problem the Agency has laid out plans to change the way in which abstraction licenses are handled.

Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, stated: “The current system of allowing water to be taken from rivers by farmers, businesses and water companies has been in place since the 1960s, and will not be able to ensure secure supplies of water for people and businesses in the future.

“Reform of abstraction management is critical if people and businesses using water are to adapt to the impacts of climate change and economic growth is to continue."

Currently, abstractors are not all treated equally, according to the Environment Agency, which causes problems with policy enforcement.

Many of those granted licenses before 2000 have no time limits, while those after 2001 are subject to strict deadlines.

Moreover, abstraction charges do not put a “realistic” value on water and are not linked to resource availability.

The Environment Agency claim that the failure of the government to offer an incentive for abstractors that do not use their water allocation to hand back or trade their licenses so
that those who need the water can use it, also serves to drive up shortages and consumer prices.

Posted by Sam Williams