Environmental experts at the Copenhagen summit last year expressed concern that half of the world will suffer from water shortages within 30 years.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON KEY ISSUES
Here at the Institute of Water we are always keen to hear from members, especially their views on important current issues. To start this new feature, Ameeruddin Abro shares his thoughts on water resources and efficiency in light of the recent price determinations. If you would like to have your say and share your concerns in future issues of the Journal, please e-mail: lyndsey@instituteofwater.org.uk
Wide-scale construction of desalination plants to convert sea water into drinking water may be one of the extreme solutions required to secure the world’s water supply, adding to the long list of major infrastructure investments for water companies. Slowly but gradually climate change is affecting the UK water industry as well as human life in the UK. The growing population and ageing infrastructure are just some of the factors likely to have an impact in the near future. In this article I will explore some of the issues relating to water efficiency and resource management.
Water Efficiency Programs
OFWAT’s newly released PR09 final determinations prompt water companies to lower water use by 1 litre/day/property through their water efficiency projects in the next five years. These include several programs such as water resource management plans; catchments; abstraction management strategies; water cycle studies; strategic flood risk assessments; surface water management plans; green infrastructure studies; water framework directive; drainage systems and Ecotowns. The targets are to be achieved either by technological means or by community participation, and the regulator has directed the water companies to concentrate on water meters and water efficient bathroom equipment such as dual flush toilets. The companies are expected to provide evidence of their projects through the June Returns. Companies are also faced with the challenge of reducing bills by £3 over the next five years. It is hoped targets can be achieved by using long term management programs.
The current state of the UK economy has made it very difficult for companies to acquire the required finance to follow the AMP5 based water efficiency programs outlined by OFWAT. More and more companies are turning to National and International NGO’s like WWF and UNDP to look to coordinate community participation programs aimed at reducing the unnecessary use of water. This is also seen as a way of achieving funding through the climate change programs agreed upon in the Copenhagen summit.
Water Losses
OFWAT has directed companies to maintain leakage levels for the next five years. This seems to have come as quite a surprise to organisations and key stakeholders such as the Consumer Council for Water and Waterwise. With current Leakage at 45% today in England and Wales, I for one don’t understand why OFWAT didn’t ask for this to be decreased. Existing leakage is damaging to properties and roads. It is a key economic issue given operational and investment costs but is equally important because leakage reduces the quantity achieved from water resources which are finite, especially the ground water. I believe OFWAT should be asking companies to invest in lowering leakage levels as well as lowering the cost of customer bills. Leaked water is not paid for but continues to harm existing structures.
There are 58 District Metered Areas (DMAs) in the UK. Software packages such as EPANET, INFOWOKS AND GIS are used to prepare models for control of leakage and bursts in these areas. According to last year’s figures however pipe-bursts are increasing to more than 30 in 100 kms (Source: Advanced water supply management in UK, 2009). According to WHO Standards this is not acceptable. Control over pipe bursts is also important as it not only wastes water but also damages the neighbouring properties and sometimes inundates the roads. Present practice in the water industry doesn’t look to detect pipe bursts and it should. I think important lessons could be learnt from the oil industry where mathematical modeling and analysis is common practice and they control the leakage because their pipes are well equipped and inform the leakage level through the model as quickly as possible.
Water Resources
Despite the recent flooding seen in parts of England, especially in Cumbria, the case for improving water efficiency remains compelling. Climate change models suggest that drought events will occur more frequently. The sort of heavy downpours we have witnessed tend to run-off to drainage systems and rivers long before they can seep down and boost the underground water resources which are so important in maintaining long-term water supply in parts of this country, the south east in particular. Across much of England, the water already being abstracted accounts for all the available water resources in the summer months. In many parts of England, groundwater resources are also being used to their limit. In some places abstraction of water is already beyond the limits at which environmental stress or damage occurs. Such abstraction places the UK at risk of failing to meet environmental standards set by European legislation, such as those likely to arise from the Water Framework and Habitats Directives.
Climate change will not only affect water availability, but also the demand for water. Our understanding of the relationship between climate and water use is not perfect, but it is clear from one aspect for example that longer periods of hot weather are likely to result in people showering more frequently. Demand for water is also linked to societal choices, and individual desires to use water in different ways. Much more research into this area needs to be considered and special targets should be set in areas where water distribution requires pumping and more energy. Ambitious water use plans (130 litres per person per day by 2030) and home water efficiency targets as indicated by the government (including plans to make all homes zero carbon by 2050) clearly need to include water efficiency measures if they are to deliver their aims. This will help to make progress towards the government’s legally binding 80% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, and contribute savings to its 5-yearly carbon budgets, as well as the water industry’s own water efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Companies should not underestimate the use of water efficient equipments and the training of contractors should play an important role. Water resource control rooms need to be operated according to forthcoming climate change implications. Despite the fact that much work has been planned to meet the target of reducing 1 litre/day/property, much more coordination is still required between water companies and regulators.
