RESOURCES OUR NRA SUSTAINING development Southern Region National Rivers Authority strategy Southern Southern Region water resources

NRA Southern ^ 6 CONTENTS

Introduction 2

Southern Region 4

Present Water Use

D rought 8

Climate Change 8

Demand Growth 9

Future Options 12

•r- V }' « i > _ v , Demand Management 13

Supply Management and Development 15

,W-rtf '’ * 4# « Protecting the Environment 16

Water Resource Schemes 18 * 9 J T

NRA Strategy for Managing Supply and Demand 20

Key Issues 24

Other Planning Organisations 25

Consultation 25

E n v i r o n m e n t A g e n c y References 26

Glossary 26 NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE

SOUTHERN REGION

Guildbourne House. Chatsworth Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN 11 1LD

Front Cover: The Seven Sisters, Eost Sussex. Woter Mill, River Stour, Kent. Beoulieu New Forest, Hampshire.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

054660 EVERY DROP COUNTS

Our bodies are 70% water - without water we can’t live.

Water is taken from reservoirs, rivers and YOU CA N underground reserves, 1. T u rn o ff taps fu lly so that they do not drip. Push taps and is then treated which are self-closing can prevent water from being wasted to exceptionally high in this way. Fitting taps which give a spray of water instead standards to ensure of a single stream can cut water usage by up to 50%. that it is the right quality 2. Fit controls for the flushing of urinals. A 9 litre for us to drink. It is cistern flushing every 20 minutes consumes 240,000 litres then piped, sometimes per year. W ith some form of controlling device fitted this huge distances, to can be reduced to 70,000 litres per year or less, giving a precisely where we saving of about £170. You can also fit cistern dams or bags need it. Once we have in the WCs to reduce their water consumption per flush. used it, it is then piped 3. M onitor your meter. Reading your water meter is a again to a sewage good way to check your water consumption, make sure you treatment works. have no leaks and ensure that you are billed for your actual But getting enough consumption. water into our homes 4. Look for leaks. Even a tiny leak of just one drop per and workplaces requires second wastes 1,200 litres of water a year. Measuring the lots of energy, materials, flow overnight will tell you whether you have any leaks. Your land and chemicals. So local water company can also help you find and fix leaks. save resources by using 5. M ind th a t hosepipe! Using a hosepipe to water the water wisely and make office flower beds or wash the vehicle fleet can use 900 every drop count! litres every hour! Fit hoses with shut-off nozzles, and use water collected off the roof to water lawns and flower beds. Conservers at Work Saving Resources for a Better Environment WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE ... BUT NOT A DROP TO DRINK! There are an estimated 1,400 million cubic kilometres of water on our planet, and yet thousands of people die through lack of water every day. Even in Britain, with its supposedly wet climate, we can have drought conditions such as in 1988-92 and 1995-96.

It is a problem of demand exceeding supply. We can either build more reservoirs and take more water from rivers, or we can use less. By using water wisely you can prevent loss of habitats and reduce the chance of rivers drying up, so helping to conserve wildlife.

WATER USE IN OFFICES AND INDUSTRY Currently average water consumption in the UK is about 147 litres per head per day, and 35% of this is when you’re at work. In offices 63% of the water used is flushed down the loo. Only around 1% of all treated “ drinking” water used in offices is actually drunk - the rest goes down toilets and drains!

Industry is a major user of water. Did you know that it takes 30,000 litres to produce one car, and 8 pints to brew just I Conservers at W ork pint of beer? Ensure that any machinery which uses water, such is an actio n packed as cooling towers or heating systems, is well maintained and membership scheme uses the minimum amount of water necessary. Look to recycle which helps wherever possible, and specify for low consumption when individuals to reduce purchasing equipment that uses water. their environmental impact while they’re SAVE WATER - SAVE MONEY at work. For more W ater costs money! On average, you are billed about £ 1.00 for information, contact the supply and disposal of one cubic metre of water (1,000 litres). Melissa Roussopoulos Find all the water meters in your building and use them to on 0171 824 8411. assess how much water each individual uses and the cost to the company. For a standard office building, you should be getting through about 12 cubic metres per employee per year. Much Severn Trent Mfcucr more than that, and there’s probably a leak or excessive usage going on somewhere. You can publish monthly usage results so that colleagues can keep track of progress.

Written by. John Newton. Crane Environmental Ltd. Sources: Building Research E n v ir o n m e n t Establishment Environment Agency, The Environment Council. New Scientist A g e n c y Severn Trent Water Limited.

THE ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL

Registered Charity No. 294075 M M t>

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This draft document shows These measures would need to that NRA Southern Region be followed by the construction can remain self-sufficient in of some new water resource water resources for at least the schemes which are identified in next 20 years, and this document. The extent to accommodate planned growth which new schemes are without recourse to long­ required will depend on the distance transfers from the rate of demand growth that north and west of the country. emerges in the longer term. This is possible provided that a programme of water The NRA views conservation conservation, including and demand management demand management, forms measures as an essential means the first stage in a resource of reducing the environmental development strategy. That impact of current and future would involve: demand for water. Development of local regional • Greater use of bulk supplies sources in preference to long between Companies. distance transfers is favoured on grounds of cost, energy • Installation of domestic consumption and meters. environmental impact.

• Increased leak reduction These and other key issues are activity by Companies. put forward now for consultation, with a view to • Public education in the wise publishing the final strategy use of water. document early in 1993. INTRODUCTION NATIONAL STRATEGY global warming. Unfortunately the Southern Region is not well placed to The drought has highlighted the After rapid grow th in the 1960s and receive these long distance transfers. importance of water resources to 1970s, public water supply consumption The available river and canal systems arc everyone in the South East. Customers in England and Wales has increased not as accessible as in the Midlands, have been inconvenienced by lengthy rather less during the 1980s, mainly as a with London and the Thames Valley hosepipe bans and the once “Silvery result of economic conditions. intervening. Darent” has become a national symbol Projections of national water demand for for rivers dried up by over-abstraction. the next 30 years range from no growth In 1968 the Water Resources Board to a requirement for an extra indicated that the Southern Region Under the 1991 Water Resources Act, 5,000Ml/day (equivalent to 50 Bewl should be self-sufficient in water the N RA has a duty to conserve, Water reservoirs). The balance in 30 resources beyond the year 2001. This redistribute, augment and ensure the years’ time for each Region is shown in regional strategy reviews in more detail proper use of water resources. A the diagram, which indicates parity whether this can remain the case. national water resources strategy between demand and indigenous document was published for discussion resources in Southern. in March 1992. This demonstrated the WATER RESOURCES divide between the wet, less populated, A wide range of options have been POLICY North and West, and the dry more considered and their costs compared. populated South and East. The Southern Among the more expensive options are In June 1992 the N R A Board approved a Region of the NRA, covering Kent, transfers from the North and West, number of Key Issue Statements on Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight either using existing rivers and canals, or ‘Managing the Drought and Water is seen to be self-sufficient until at least by constructing a national grid for Resources’. These highlight, from a 2021 if all currently proposed new water treated water. These proposals are national point of view, the issues of low resource schemes are constructed. This particularly energy intensive at a time flow rivers, new sources and the need for regional report examines the need for when consideration is being given to the wise use of water. Main points are water in the South East and sets out a reducing energy consumption to combat summarised here. 30-year strategy to meet appropriate

demand whilst protecting the >20% SURPLUS environment.

This regional statement is being issued as a consultative document to major abstractors, organisations representing water users and users of the water environment, planning authorities and other regulatory and advisory agencies. Certain key issues are identified later on and views are invited on these aspects in particular, but all comments received will be taken into account in finalising the water resources strategy for the region in 1993.

SURPLUS RESOURCES IN 2021 AS % OF AVERAGE DEMAND IN 2021 Note: Assumes present resources are available together with new indigenous schemes

2 NRA NATIONAL POLICY - conservation needs, but will be water for their reasonable needs, but MANAGING THE DROUGHT discussing the need for any further they must be prepared to pay the real AND WATER RESOURCES legislation and this may be economic cost. This will require included in the promised legislative change and development of General Environment Bill. suitable techniques and the NRA will

The last four years have left parts of co-operate fully on these initiatives. New Sources Eastern and Southern England with a Wetlands deficit equivalent to ten months’ Before any new sources are rainfall. developed, it is essential that water It is essential that wetlands and other companies reduce leakage and carry areas of significant environmental The National Rivers Authority out effective demand management. interest are protected. cannot cure a drought, but it can help The NRA supports selective River Buffer Zones to manage it. The protection of domestic metering in areas where rivers and wetlands is essential whilst water resources are stressed. River buffer zones of natural meeting the needs of major users who vegetation of 10m or more width can all have a role to play in helping to The N RA ’s recently published do much to im prove the river conserve water supplies. discussion document on strategic environment by preventing pollution options is an important initial step in and silt reaching the rivers at Low Flows the work. Water companies must co­ relatively little cost. The current drought is severe and it operate with the NRA in taking this Wise Use of Water has inevitably caused very low river forward. flows and groundwater levels. It is essential that everyone does all However, problems with some rivers In drought-hit areas, where there is they can to use water wisely, follow s arc due to excessive abstraction as any doubt about long term the advice available and heeds calls well as the drought. The NRA is sustainability of resources, the NRA for restraint. taking positive action to solve these will not grant any new licences until I June 1992 problems and will, where necessary, the current drought is over and its vary or revoke licences. impact assessed. Southern Region has adopted a policy The NRA has been carrying out • The NRA has already announced which extends these issues to the detailed investigations into rivers a moratorium on new licences in particular conditions of south east with depleted flow due to excessive the worst-hit areas. England, which has scarce resources and abstraction and in appropriate a large number of Water Company situations intends to: In many parts of the country, supply areas. especially the South and East, • Withdraw or amend abstraction groundwater supplies arc fully SOUTHERN REGION - licences and require abstractors to utilised and the scope for further WATER RESOURCES POLICY use alternative sources. groundwater development is limited. The National Rivers Authority has a • Where alternative sources of Surface water abstraction near tidal duty to conserve, redistribute, public supply are not immediately limits is favoured. augment and ensure the proper use of available the N R A will amend water resources. In the Southern licences on the basis that Adequately treated effluents are an Region we seek to achieve this by alternative supplies will be important water resource and the adopting a Water Resources Policy. promoted to agreed timetables and NRA will expect them to be dis­ We will: programmes. charged as far upstream as possible. • Promote the full use of existing • The NRA is satisfied with its Winter abstraction with storage for water resources by encouraging existing powers to amend and summer use is encouraged. ‘water grid’ connections and the withdraw abstraction licences The NRA believes that in the long conjunctive use of reservoirs, river where their use conflicts with term users should have sufficient abstractions and groundwaters.

3 • Promote future re allocations of SOUTHERN REGION year such as public water supplies arc supplies between Companies, designed for, these net rainfall values are where appropriate. Hydrology reduced to about one third, because Southern Region covers a total area of increased losses from evaporation have a • Permit new abstraction of water at 10,550 Km2 monitored by a disproportionately large effect on the the downstream limit of rivers. hydrometric network comprising some smaller depth of rainfall that is received. 2,000 boreholes, 450 rainfall and • Protect river interests from the climate stations and 150 river flow Net effective rainfall provides the effects of abstraction by gauges. The average annual rainfall for resource from which all uses of incorporating controlling flows in the Region is just under 800 mm. freshwater, both consumptive and non­ licences. This makes it the third driest region of consumptive, must ultimately be met, England and Wales (and Scotland), after and its relative level of exploitation is • Promote, where appropriate, the Anglian and Thames regions. After critically important. augmentation of chalk streams by allowing for evaporation losses and groundwater abstraction to the water used by plants and vegetation, The map shows net effective rainfall for benefit of all river users. We will which amount to an equivalent of an average year. On it are superimposed also support river-regulating 485 mm on average, the net effective existing major public water supply reservoirs. rainfall available to recharge aquifers and sources greater than 10 Ml/day. This contribute to river flow averages 300 mm illustrates the manner in which the • Promote the return of treated per year. Region’s geology and topography have effluent to the local catchment determined the nature of the present wherever possible. There is considerable variation within water supply systems. the region and net effective rainfall • Persuade Water Companies and typically ranges from 350 mm in the consumers to adopt water saving west to less than 200 mm in north east m easures. Kent, with a small area (along the South D ow ns in West Sussex and eastern • Persuade Water Companies to Hampshire) where recharge is as high as install domestic water meters with 500 mm on average. In a 1 in 50 drought appropriate tariffs before major new resource schemes are licensed.

Average annual rainfall Reconstruction of Goldbridge Weir, River Ouse, Sussex. • Work with OFWAT to ensure in Southern Region that Water Companies achieve appropriate leakage targets. There are two lines of major sources, along the dip slope of the South Downs • Remedy the effects of over­ and along the North Downs. Surface abstracted catchments by reservoirs are concentrated in the improved groundwater eastern Weald where outcrops of management. Ashdown Sands overlain by Wadhurst Clay provide suitable topography and • Take into account the possible geology for dam construction. effects of climate change in long Elsewhere, the permeable chalk uplands term water resources planning. and generally flat coastal plains provide few suitable reservoir sites.

Historically, public water supplies have come from boreholes sited close to centres of population, with little need to transfer water over any great distance. It is only since 1970 that some of the larger reservoir schemes have been

4 Average annual effective rainfall and location of existing major public water supply abstractions

A Impounding tacrvoir 400 500 mm

500-600 mm

developed to supply populations tens of The other three have smaller areas joint use of the Medway Scheme by miles from the source. This situation around the boundary of the Region: Southern Water and Mid Kent Water contrasts sharply with some other parts Company, and the Thanet main which of the country where long distance East Surrey Water links the two separate areas of Southern aqueducts were constructed in the last Wessex Water Water’s Kent Division and is also used century to bring supplies from large West Hampshire Water by M id Kent W ater C om pany. reservoirs, such as Thirlmere in the Lake District, to cities such as Manchester, The map shows there is a large number Existing Sources with offtakes along the route supplying of discrete operating units based on other towns. earlier water company boundaries, with Although groundwater sources limited or no connections between units. dominate water supply for the Region, As a result, a large number of local water Notable exceptions to this are the Cross there are four main types of abstraction undertakings, a mixture of local Solent main feeding the Isle of Wight, for public water supply: authority water departments and private companies, came into being and have only gradually amalgamated into the Water Companies in Southern Region larger units which exist today. These are owned by nine companies, of which six have large supply areas within the Region:

Dover W.S.

Southern Water Services W tat Portsmouth Water South East Water Mid Kent Water Company Folkestone and Dover Water Services Thames Water Utilities

5 From unregulated rivers R. Medway at Maidstone using Bcwl Ardingly - Mid Sussex Water

These depend on a steady baseflow Water - Southern Water Kent Company serving Haywards Heath component throughout the year and use Division and Mid Kent Water area. Company serving Medway Towns the natural groundwater storage in upper The total quantity abstracted directly parts of catchments to maintain flow in and Maidstone. from these reservoirs averages the lower river by natural means. Rivers The total quantity abstracted by this 80 M l/day. used in this way are: means averages 160Ml/day.

R. Test at Testwood - Southern From boreholes From impounding reservoirs Water Hampshire Division serving The principal aquifers are the Chalk and Southampton. Concentrated in the Weald area where Lower Greensand, with smaller but somewhat higher net rainfall (in the locally important supplies obtained R. Rother at Hardham - Southern Water Sussex Division serving Horsham and Crawley areas.

Wallers Haven at Hazards Green (with compensating discharges from boreholes) - Eastbourne Water C om p an y .

R. Stour at Plucks Gutter - Southern Water Kent Division serving Thanet.

The total quantity at present abstracted by this means averages 112 Ml/day.

From regulated rivers

Southern rivers are regulated from surface storage and from groundwater, although full groundwater augmentation, as opposed to range 300 mm - 400 mm per year), from Hastings Beds and Valley Gravels. compensating discharges, has only been geography and topography have All Companies’ supply areas, with the developed in Hampshire on the combined to produce factors favourable exception of Southern Water Services R. Itchen, and on the Isle of Wight with to reservoir construction. Hastings area and the southern part of the R. Yar. Hampshire Division, depend heavily on There are six major reservoirs: borehole sources. However, the figure Abstractions of this type are: Bewl Water (augmented by pumped shows that the North and South Downs R. Itchen at Otterbourne - Southern storage) - serving Southern Water are the pre-eminent aquifers, with Water Services Hampshire Division and Mid Kent Water Company. sources extending along the dip slopes serving Eastleigh and the eastern part over extensive areas. Historically, local Weir Wood - Southern Water Sussex of Southampton. sources have been developed to meet the Division serving Crawley and needs of nearby urban areas and the R. Itchen at Gaters Mill - Portsmouth providing a bulk supply under degree of strategic linking of these Water Company. agreement to Mid Sussex Water sources is small. For obvious reasons C om pany. R. Eastern Yar at Sandown using trunk mains have largely been contained groundwater augmentation from R. Darwell - Southern Water Sussex within Water Company boundaries. Medina catchment - Southern Water Division serving Hastings. The total quantity abstracted from Isle of Wight Division. boreholes and shallow wells averages Arlington - Eastbourne Water 1,125 Ml/day, some 76% of public R. Ouse at Barcombe using Company serving Eastbourne. water supply. Ardingly reservoir - Mid Sussex Bough Beech - East Surrey Water Water Company serving Haywards Company serving Reigate area. Heath area. .

6 PRESENT WATER USE terms of rainfall equivalent so that the it amounted to l,476Ml/day, equivalent level of development can be put in the to a depth of 50 mm rainfall across the The total quantity of water abstracted in context of the total available resource. Region. On average, some 80% of the 1989 from rivers, reservoirs and water abstracted is returned to the underground sources for public water Drought Year Recharge environment after treatment, but in the supply, industry and agriculture, but In a one in 50 year drought, the Region South the typical pattern of supply excluding the use of tidal estuaries, receives about 100 mm of effective consists of inland abstraction from amounted to 2,680 Ml/day, equivalent to rainfall. The present total level of groundwater sources for use in coastal a depth of 93 mm spread across the abstractions amounts to more than 90% towns and subsequent discharge to the Region. This is 30% of the net rainfall with public water supplies amounting to sea. As already noted, there is relatively received in an average year and 52% of 50% (Effective rainfall and water use little opportunity for effluent re-use in the 1989 net rainfall. Although a graph page 8). Storage in the form of the Region. As a result demand drought year, 1989 was not considered reservoirs and aquifers provides a buffer management of public water supplies is to be of design severity, usually taken as to some extent and conditions cannot be particularly beneficial in coastal towns.

Existing public water supply sources. Low Flow Rivers NRA Southern Region Present drought conditions have brought increased public awareness of rivers with Reservoirs depleted flows due to excessive abstractions. There is a new determination on the part of the NRA to act to restore the worst of them. Nationally, there arc 40 such high priority sites, of which six are in the Southern Region. These are:

River Darent Wallop Brook Bourne Rivulet Little Stour River Meon River Hamble one in 50 years. However, conditions judged simply on the basis of annual during the year caused concern because totals because there is a ‘carry-over’ The scale and causes of the problem vary of the shortage of rain that began in from one year to another. Nevertheless greatly between catchments. All are August 1988 and continued on through there is already a high level of affected to a greater or lesser extent by 1989, affecting groundwater levels in development of resources overall, abstractions, which may be for public particular. particularly since there is limited water supply or other uses. In some opportunity for re-use in a Region cases the streams are winterbournes, that It is not the purpose of this document to having its main centres of population is the flow would diminish or cease establish what level of exploitation is spread along its coastline and relatively naturally for part of the year along some acceptable. This is a fundamental few large inland towns discharging of their lengths. However, abstraction question which is being addressed on a effluent to rivers where it can be re­ from the rivers or nearby boreholes has catchment basis in the N R A ’s abstracted. exacerbated the problem and the long Catchment Management Plans, and in term solution will lie in reducing this. the context of specific water resource Public Water Supplies development schemes, where a balance Studies are being carried out for all six of between environmental and consumptive This document concentrates on the the rivers mentioned above and in some needs has to be struck after consider­ provision of public water supplies cases long term solutions have been ation of local requirements. Reference because of the primary importance of identified. These involve the use of is made however to the level of abstrac­ this use, and because it is the dominant alternative sources of supply or the tions, both current and future, in consumptive use in the Region. In 1989 construction of pipelines to discharge

7 Effective rainfall and water use- NRA Southern Region Canterbury. Across the Region there is a gradient from less severe conditions in Effective Rainfall KEY TO WATER USE the west to extremely dry conditions in in Average Year Industry including Cooling the east. Fishfarming & Watercress General Agriculture The diagram below shows how the Unoccounted For rainfall deficit has persisted and built up Commercial Unmetered Commercial & Industrial Metered to an extraordinary amount, particularly Domestic at Canterbury. The other diagram shows that significant variations in average rain­ fall have occurred in the past 300 years.

The current drought has been, and continues to be, as severe a test of groundwater resources in Kent as any Direct Abstractions this century. Recent experience of the drought is causing Water Companies to re assess source yields and the NRA to review aquifer yields and environmental effects.

water back into the river above the point development costs of at least £50M at The drought has focused attention on at which it is taken out. Solutions cannot present prices. the conflicting needs for water. Dried be instant but the NRA has already up river beds have become a familiar entered into negotiations with some of DROUGHT image on our television screens. This the Water Companies involved. The had led the N R A to review the balance NRA has now set a timetable for The drought of 1988-92 has had a between abstraction and the environ­ agreeing action in the worst affected significant effect on water supply in the ment in times of drought and this is river, the Darent, and the NRA South East because of the combination reflected in the regional strategy. Chairman, Lord Crickhowell, in his of four successive dry winters and announcement of 15th June 1992, made intervening hot, dry summers. This has CLIMATE CHANGE it clear that the NRA would take action a particular impact in Kent where high to reduce abstraction if agreement is not dependence on groundwater is combined The rainfall regime is naturally variable reached. with particularly low winter rainfall. and the recent drought is within the range of previous experience. However, The total quantity required to restore all There have been considerable variations there is international concern that global six of the high priority sites could be up in recent years between locations in the warming will cause further climate to 50 Ml/day, which represents resource South East such as Kew, Winchester and change. The burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) to provide energy contributes to the so-called greenhouse 20 year moving averages of Cumulative deficit below gases, and increased concentration of annual rainfall 1941-70 average these gases in the atmosphere could lead to global warming.

There is more work to do on observing the world’s climate, improving our climate models and understanding climate processes. This international work will take some 15 years to Y to r complete, halfway through the planning Ytar Kew ceaelotive departure fro* 41-70 average period for this strategy. In the meantime Winchester (■■•lative depsrtere from 41-70 everoge (oaterbery cvaelative departure Iren 41-70 overage the Government says the risks clearly Rainfall as a percentage of long-term average - October 1 989 to March 1990 Domestic metering (on the Isle of Wight).

• Improved bulk metering leading to more accurate and smaller estimates of consumption.

It is clear this downturn now exceeds that experienced in the mid seventies after the oil-induced economic crisis and the 1976 drought. The timing and speed of the recovery are a matter for conjecture but for the time being consumption is at the level of the early 1980s. Were it to resume at p re-1988 rates of increase from now on then the 1988 level would be regained by 1996, an justify action now to begin to reduce into account in their planning scenarios. eight-year standstill in growth. greenhouse gases. The NRA argues for making the best possible use of local sources by demand Factors Influencing Growth As the Government believes that this management and reducing leakage losses generation has a duty to act to meet the by customers and Water Companies. The extent to which demand will threat of global warming, this strategy The energy component of major inter­ increase over the next few decades will takes into account the likely effects of regional long distance water transfers depend on the following main factors: climate change on: must be identified and minimised. • Population growth and household size. • Demands for water - in the home and in the environment. DEMAND GROWTH • Number of new dwellings built.

• The level of general economic activity. • Water resource yields. Downturn in Demond

• Low energy means of balancing In the 20-year period up to 1989, the • The extent of any new large water supply and demand. volume of public water supplies grew by using industrial sites, such as power some 55%. This includes all domestic, stations. Climate change could increase the industrial and agricultural consumers • The method of charging for water average total demand for public water supplied from the mains, but excludes all services and the price level adopted. supplies in the South East by about 4% supplies taken directly from private by 2011 and by about 6% by 2021, as a wells, boreholes or river sources. 1989 • Water consumption of household result of increased garden watering and marked the start of a pronounced appliances and their level of personal showering, and could also lead downturn which has continued into ownership. to higher peak consumption. 1992 and has been experienced in the • Gardening habits. west of the Region as well as the The effect on water resources schemes drought-affected east. • Climate change. will depend on the particular • Levels of leakage from distribution characteristic of each. Yields from the Factors contributing to this are: systems and consumers’ plumbing. smaller reservoirs could be reduced by • The general economic downturn. up to 10%, but groundwater yields may Forecasting Domestic Use not change much. • Hosepipe restrictions. Population and dwelling numbers can be . • Drought publicity and public Climate change puts extra strain on projected with reasonable confidence, awareness. water demand and resources; warmer based on Census information and weather increases demand. This • Reduced leakage as a result of Water County Structure Plans. Over the next reinforces the need for the NRA and Company activity. 20 years the Regional population is Water Companies to take climate change expected to increase by 350,000 (9%).

9 Per capita domestic consumption in Southern Region 1 989 by property type Metering Trials. As a result of this Retirement initiative, which is maintained jointly by Areas the Water Companies and the NRA, 180— (Better OH) there now exists in Southern Region comprehensive information on domestic Modern Family consumption which forms a firm factual Housing Affluent basis from which forecasts can be made. 160 Higher Suburban Incomes Results for 1989 illustrate how water Housing Regional Older consumption varies between different Housing Population Intermediate types of property. Status 140 ___ Council Estates Regional Demand Forecast

This information, along with population and housing projections from County 120 Council Structure Plans and OPCS population projections, is used by the NRA in its forecasting of future demand for water. This is carried out periodically 100 as part of the NRA’s duty under the 1991 Property Type Act to manage water resources. The most recent forecast for public water However population increase and Monitoring Domestic Use supply, which includes industrial development are not the dominant The importance of establishing accurate supplies, was published in 1990 and is factors in determining future levels of information on domestic consumption shown in the diagram on page 11. demand. Individual per capita was appreciated in the early 1980s and consumption is now the most important steps were then taken to set up a The upper line represents continuing feature, and there are two approaches to representative network of monitoring growth as in the past and is the N R A ’s forecasting future trends: sites across the Region. These estimate of the maximum likely demand.

i) an assumption that things will continuously measure the consumption This reaches 1,580 Ml/day by the year continue much as in the past in groups of domestic properties (not 2011, an increase of 260 Ml/day over the individual houses) and are entirely 1989 figure. The lower line represents ii) an analysis of household water use, separate from the more recent National the best estimate of growth based on the appliance ownership and projected more analytical approach to household likely future levels of ownership water use devised by Paul Herrington of and use. Leicester University. This reaches 1,444 M l/day, or an increase of 120 M l/day Components of increase in demand The first of these leads to a higher in Southern Region to 2011 over the 1989 demand. In both cases the estimate and is useful in giving an upper level of leakage is reduced from present limit to probable demand growth. The levels to Water Companies’ own target Leakage reduced to Water Company target levels second, more analytical approach leads to figures by 1996, and maintained at that a better estimate, particularly in the long level thereafter. term of 20-30 years ahead. In view of the Per Capita Population need to err on the side of safety in increase increase Also shown in the diagram is the total planning public water supplies, the NRA reliable yield of sources currently considers it reasonable to plan up to a available, 1,500 Ml/day. This reliable maximum line. Justification for this will yield is assessed on the basis of a drought need to be closely examined in future that occurs only once in 50 years and in particularly as opportunities to influence the main is based on information pro­ the trend emerge through demand vided by the Water Companies. It can management measures. Early results be seen that this is reached by the year Commercial from National Metering Trials in the UK 2005 by the upper line, but not until well indicate this could be very significant. after 2011 by the‘best estimate’ line.

10 Public Water Supply Demand ML/doy - Peak dem ands m ust be taken into into taken be ust m ands dem Peak - NRA Southern Region 1 demand forecast 990 This overall regional balance does not not does balance regional overall This The figures so far discussed relate to to relate discussed far so figures The because: however, story full the tell - The region is long and narrow and and narrow and long is region The - h ai o lnigteln term, long the planning for basis the form which quantities, average annual The diagram also illustrates the the illustrates also diagram The current targets is the deferment of new new of deferment the is targets current to up period the in forecast the is into which built leakage, reduced of significance energy consumed. the energy hence and source at treated and pumped quantity the sources, from existing environment the from abstracted the has also reduction Leakage of years. number a by developments resource minimising, the increase in the quantity quantity the in increase the or minimising, reducing, of effects important Peak Demands 1996. The overall effect of achieving achieving of effect overall The 1996. groundw ater dependent areas. dependent ater in groundw particularly account, it is not economical to transfer transfer to economical not is it w ater over great distances by by ping. pum distances great over ater w ActualDemand (1% per Annum)per(1% Growth Maximum demand due, in most parts of Southern Southern of parts most in due, demand osdrbesaoa vrain in variation seasonal considerable ..2-0ya,ftr. wee hr is there ever ow H future. year, 20-30 i.e. Table 1 is latter The use. agricultural or watering Region, either to domestic garden garden domestic to either Region, ------oten tr Services: ater W Southern okso ad vrWae Services ater W over D and e y pan Folkeston om C ater W y an p Kent om id C M ater W y pan Eastbourne om C ater W y Kent pan om West C ater W y pan Sussex om id C M ater W outh Portsm Sussex mpshire am H ight W f o Isle Kent NRA Company 11 Assuming No New Resource Development Schemes NewResourceDevelopment No Assuming Estimales of Maximum Deficiencies by the Year 2011 2011 Year the by Deficiencies Maximum of Estimales analysisdomestic of consumption(Herrington) Projectionbased on qatte i brackets in (quantities Sussex, where crops are irrigated using using irrigated are crops where Sussex, important in those parts o f the area, area, the f o parts those in important supply rate over seven consecutive days days consecutive seven over rate supply duration. and scale in on conditions weather dependent highly er are m sum demands peak means This supplies. ains m West of parts certain and Thanet notably ftedmn hst e e rmfrom met be to has demand the of s has this and figure critical the as groundwater sources without the the without sources groundwater all or much where significance particular buffering effect of reservoir storage. reservoir of effect buffering It is normal to consider the maximum maximum the consider to normal is It averages for each W ater C om pan y area area y pan om C ater W each for averages annual with along estimated been Peak week demands have, therefore, also also therefore, have, demands week Peak o si eeswr ob ntle in installed be to were meters if estic occur dom would that effect any attenuation for allow not do estimates in the Region. These peak demand demand peak These Region. the in deficiency that might occur in the the in occur might that deficiency large numbers in existing properties. existing in numbers large aacn Spl ad DemandBalancing and Supply ein aeaeana ad ek week peak and annual average Region, potential f o scale the assess to order In r surplus) are AnnualMl/day Average (42) 26 34 916 19 10 12 10 (5) 4 8 ek Ml/day Week (20) Peak 25 42 70 35 6 5 5 8 demands for the year 2011 are compared main areas of deficit are Eastbourne, FUTURE OPTIONS with the existing level of resources Hastings, the Medway Towns and available to each Company and results Maidstone, with peak demands a The NRA has a duty to ensure future are shown in Table 1. This shows the potential problem in the Brighton/ public water supply demands are met in scale of the deficiency that may need to Worthing, Thanet and Ashford areas. the least damaging manner to the be bridged within the next 20 years by environment. The NRA is also looking means of demand management, greater The situation illustrated is that resulting for opportunities to rectify existing use of bulk supplies between Companies from a ‘do-nothing’ strategy in terms of cases of over-abstracted catchments. and new resource development schemes. resource development, demand The 20-year increases in demand There will also be requirements for the management, or resource redistribution described above represent a level of restoration of low-flow catchments. and it is im portant to bear in mind: abstraction some 23% above that

NRA estimates of maximum d e fic ie n c ie s by the year 2011 assuming no new resource development schemes

Average Annual Peak Week

Deficiency b

Surplus I

These are considered later in this Future growth may turn out to be experienced at present. If added to the docum ent. less than that illustrated, which is the existing level of private water supply maximum likely. abstractions, this represents an In absolute terms the largest increases in equivalent depth of rainfall of 104 mm, No future water resource demand are likely to arise in the urban some 35% of the average annual development schemes are included in areas of south and east Hampshire. recharge, but more than 100% of the the available supply figures. These are, however, the best endowed in one in 50 drought year recharge. terms of available resources in hand, and Possible effects due to climate change so are expected to remain in surplus are not included. Even allowing for the fact that there is beyond the year 2011. The situation already a significant element of re-use Unaccounted-for water is assumed to changes as we move into West Sussex, from abstractions returned to the be reduced only as far as Water where likely demand increases in the environment, it is imperative that future C om pany target levels, and in future Chichester, Horsham, Crawley and increases in abstraction are kept to the lower target levels may apply in some Haywards Heath areas, although on a lowest possible level needed to meet areas. more modest scale, exceed existing legitimate water supply needs. These resources. This is shown in the map, Possible reductions in available must be located in those catchments best which illustrates the distribution of the resources in over-abstracted able to sustain the new load with the deficits and surpluses in the table shown catchments have not been included least environmental damage. on the previous page. Further east, the here but are incorporated in Table 3.

12 This can be achieved by a mixture of products. The process would be aided measures acting on both the demand and by clear labelling of products that meet supply sides and by making optimal use certain standards of low water use; for of resources available at any time. example the proposed ECO label for washing machines using 16.8 litres/kg or less. There is also room for much DEMAND MANAGEMENT improvement in the maintainability of household plumbing fittings. Demand management measures can be applied to water used in the home, There are three points at which the price industry, agriculture, public water mechanism for using water can be supplies and private abstractions. applied:

Equipment and techniques already exist • At the point of abstraction from river to achieve reduced consumption in or aquifer. many cases and in others development work is required. Experience in other This impinges on all those who abstract countries has shown that pricing is an water, whether for public water supply, effective spur and this can be reinforced industrial or agricultural use, but in terms by appropriate byelaws. of incentive is limited at present because charges are set only to cover the cost of administering the Water Resources Economical Water Use function of the NRA, although factors Examples of the more economical use of such as the season of the year and the water arc provided by: amount returned to the environment arc taken into account and enable some • WC cisterns having a 6-litre flush or incentive to be applied. Raw water less. abstraction charges are typically 2p per m3, • Washing machines requiring less than compared with average treated water 20 litres/kg of load compared with a charges of 50p per m3. Water use in the home typical figure of 35 litres/kg in 1980.

• Use of showers rather than baths for personal hygiene.

• Replacement of spray irrigation by the more efficient trickle or drip irrigation, which does not lose water on the leaf canopy.

• Application of water to crops during cooler evening and night time hours.

• Greater recycling of industrial

process and cooling water. Garden Sprinkler 1 hour Washing Machine cycle Bath Shower

• Reduced losses from Water Company distribution systems by increased leak The Price Mechanism • At the point of supply to the Water detection and repair activity. Company consumer. There is no doubt that where the price of • Reduced loss from household water used is a consideration, an At present, only 6% of the population plumbing fittings by improved individual’s or company’s choice of in the Region pays for domestic water maintenance. equipment and methods is influenced. consumption which has been metered. This in turn is passed on to manu­ This figure is higher than the national facturers of the equipment in the form of average because of the 53,500 metered increased demand for low water-using households on the Isle of Wight.

13 Charges levied on metered consumption three-quarters of the amount required or otherwise, and provide actual case provide a direct incentive to economise without metering, i.e. a total increase of history for future planning. in discretionary use, such as garden 195 Ml/day over the next 20 years, rather watering, and an indirect incentive to than 260 Ml/day. The difference, • Consumer groups have expressed a the production and installation of more 65 Ml/day, is equivalent to one large preference for this method of charging. economical water using appliances and impounding reservoir scheme. fittings. The metered charge for water It must be recognised that there is an on the Isle of Wight is 44.4p per m3, In the longer term, it is likely that impact on the urban environment in the plus sewerage and an administrative consumers who are metered would process of meter installation and that a charge. adopt more economical water using tariff structure would need to be devised habits as a way of life and would demand that achieved both an overall reduction • At the point of discharge of effluent the more economical water using in consumption, at the supply area level, to the environment. appliances which are becoming available. and a safeguard for individuals and In Germany, where household meters families needing large volumes of water. The charge made for discharging were installed in the 1970s and water is effluent is currently based on the twice as expensive as in the UK, An important result from the installation volume, content and location of the domestic consumption has not grown of meters is the reduction in leakage discharge but, like the charge for for a decade. from damaged and corroded supply abstraction, is limited to recovering the pipes, which are renewed or repaired NRA costs involved. Further The reduction of peak demands caused when the meter is installed. This is an development of the charge could by garden watering is particularly important feature, cutting overall leakage provide greater incentives to economise important where supplies are dependent by up to half. The meter should be on water use by greater recycling and by on groundw ater, as they are in much of installed at the external property discharging above the point of Southern Region. This means that boundary to have the greatest demand abstraction and so re using the water. domestic metering has particular management effect. potency as a demand management There is currently a great deal of measure in such areas. attention focused on the method of Water Losses charging to be adopted at the point of Water losses from Water Company supply to the domestic consumer. The Why Demand Management Now? distribution systems and on consumers’ significance of this from the Reasons for adopting widespread premises (i.e. the water that is treated by environmental point of view is demand management methods, the Companies and put into mains but illustrated by the pie diagram on page 10 principally metering, at the present time not received at the point of use in home, which represents the growth include: office or factory) amount to about one components in the Regional potable quarter of the total. The NRA water supply forecast for the year 2011. • Short time scale (2-3 years) to recognises that to reduce distribution Growth in individual per capita implement in an area. system losses a continuous effort is consumption is the dominant factor and • Reduced consum ption and hence required on the part of the Companies, the size of this component will be reduced abstraction from rivers and and that this has cost implications. particularly significant in the overall aquifers. There is no doubt that leakage detection total abstracted. and reduction activities have been • Can be staged flexibly in time and by increased in some areas and progress area. made, but before granting licences for Notional Metering Trials • The present downturn in consump­ major new schemes the NRA will expect National metering trials have yet to be tion provides a window of to see leakage targets that represent an concluded, but evidence available opportunity before demand again overall level of unaccounted-for water indicates that net in-house domestic picks up. no greater than six litres per property per consumption is at least 10% lower hour in the medium term. overall and that evening peaks due to • Early experience with a significantly garden watering are suppressed by as large number of metered households In the longer term, the balance of cost much as 30%. The effect of this would on the mainland of south east between embarking on major new be to reduce the overall increase in England will enable initial experience resource developments and increases in demand for public water supplies to on the Isle of Wight to be confirmed the capacity of distribution systems on

14 the long term impact of increased abstraction from an aquifer or river.

The pattern of surplus and deficit described in section six shows, as an example, that southern Hampshire is a self-sufficient area which could provide increased supplies to West Sussex through enlarged and extended trunk mains.

The provision of such mains linking major sources and demand centres also brings the benefit of greater security against risk of failure by one o f the sources, as well as optimising on source use. Water Company repairing leaking main. Photo: Southern Water

Making full use of existing resources by distributing from areas of surplus to the one hand and increased leak SUPPLY MANAGEMENT areas of dcficit, will involve the construc­ reduction activity on the other should AND DEVELOPMENT tion of strategic trunk mains. New links determine an appropriate level of can then distribute supplies from new unaccounted-for water. As far as managing the supply side is sources as they are developed: e.g. concerned, it is possible to identify two Darwell and Broad Oak reservoirs. This Losses on consumers’ premises will only stages which are, in order of application: may involve new agreements between become fully apparent when external Companies for the use of bulk supplies. • Securing optimal use of existing meters are installed revealing leaks and resources. providing an incentive to repair them. The integrated management of separate • Developing new schemes. sources can provide an increase in Estimates of present levels of reliable yield for the system where unaccounted-for water are still being component sources have different Optimal Use of Existing Resources refined but on the basis of present hydrological characteristics. evidence the potential saving in Obtaining the greatest benefit from Opportunities for such conjunctive use achieving a level of six litres/property/ existing resources requires that trunk are not great in this region because of the hour across the Region would be some mains are constructed between areas of predominance of the chalk aquifer but 80 Ml/day, so demand increases resulting surplus and areas of deficit, water the benefit in areas having potential from maximum (1% ) and most probable treatment works are expanded and, should be established. These will occur growth scenarios would be 180 Ml/day where appropriate, separate resources are mainly where reservoirs, existing or new, and 115 Ml/day respectively. managed in an integrated manner to can be balanced against groundwater secure a greater output than from the sources. sum of the individual parts. All of these Using Water Wisely measures require works to be carried out Full use of existing licensed abstractions Issues of leakage, economical water use, and so have financial and environmental can also be achieved by building raw the method of payment for water consequences, at least in the short term. water reservoirs at the point of abstrac­ services and future development These must be offset against the longer tion. These enable surplus water to be planning are brought together in the term savings arising from reduced stored at times of low demand and high DOE Consultation Paper ‘Using Water resource development costs and reduced river flow, and can be used to augment Wisely’ published in July 1992. This environmental impact. There is, for the direct abstraction when peak demand emphasises the role of demand example, a balance to be struck between exceeds the licensed amount. An management measures in achieving a the short term environmental impact of example of this is theTestwood Lakes satisfactory, sustainable environment. laying a main through an urban area and scheme in Hampshire.

15 Developing New Schemes The major schemes identified for PROTECTING THE O f the four main types of public water possible development are outlined in the ENVIRONMENT supply scheme discussed previously next section. They represent the last unregulated rivers are protected by remaining development options within Licence Reductions residual flows and, with the possible the region. Once fully utilised, it would exception of the R. Test and R. Itchcn, be necessary to look further afield to Nationally and regionally the NRA is offer no further scope for abstraction more expensive long distance transfers committed to identifying and alleviating above currently authorised limits. or desalination if demand were to problems caused by over-abstraction. In continue to rise. The geographic a number of Southern Region locations Aquifers are now fully exploited in most position of Southern Region means such authorised abstraction is such a high parts of the Region and only small transfers would be costly compared with proportion of effective rainfall that there quantities of additional groundwater will regional schemes and demand is little left for the natural environment, be available in future. management measures. particularly during drought. These abstractions are generally authorised under Licences of Right issued following Table 2 the introduction of abstraction licensing in the Water Resources Act 1963. The INDICATIVE COST OPTION COMMENTS legislation allowed licences to be issued £ million/Ml/day to authorise available abstraction capacity 0.1 -0.5 • Demand Management Some aspects of demand at the time, without regard to including Leakage management would lie outside environmental effects. In some cases C ontrol the range of indicative costs these anticipated growth in demand over • Groundwater Development Very limited potential 30 years. All new licences after 1963 contained conditions to protect the • Direct River Abstraction Limited potential water environment where necessary.

0.5 - 2.5 • Effluent Re-Use By indirect methods The NRA has powers under the Water • Reservoir Schemes Direct supply and regulation Resources Act 1991 to vary or revoke • Domestic Metering Key to demand management licences. The main reason would be to implement the NRA’s duty to • Inter-Regional Transfer Those in the lower range of likely ‘ conserve, redistribute, augment and Schemes cost ensure proper use of water resources.’ 2 - 5 • Transfer from Europe Lack of spare resources in France The NRA also has a specific duty to enhance the water environment. • Inter-Regional Transfer Those not included in the above Schemes category and likely to apply to Licences may also be revoked for non­ Southern Region payment of charges.

4 - 6 • National Grid In 1990 the N R A issued a policy statement on over-abstracted river • Desalination catchments. One of the options for Much greater consideration included variation or than 6 • Transfer by Ship revocation of licences.

Water Companies who have sources that New major water supply developments Options given in Table 2, which is drawn are being considered for licence variation will therefore inevitably be concentrated from the N RA ’s National Development include: in a few areas from regulated rivers or Strategy discussion document, show the

reservoirs, or a combination of the two. capital cost of each unit o f reliable yield. Thames Water Utilities - River The NRA will seek to ensure that new Darent abstractions are located as far downstream as possible to minimise any West Kent Water (South East Water) adverse impact on the flow regime. - River Darent

16 Mid Kent Water - River Stour NRA will not grant licences for new sources.” Folkestone Water - Little Stour

Southern Water - Little Stour, Licence Structure Wallop Brook Abstraction licences for strategic sources should carry conditions which The N RA’s approach is to discuss properly reflect environmental and proposals with Water Companies when resource management problems locally. considering their long term plans for These should be subject to periodic new sources, so that their investment review by the NRA and provide an plans can take into account NRA opportunity to take account of climate policies. change and other factors which may affect the future balance of resources.

Regional Licensing Policy

Pressure on water resources in the South East is reflected in a tough licensing policy. Abstractions from rivers are controlled by prescribed minimum flows or levels. There is a general policy of presumption against further abstraction from the Chalk and Greensand groundwaters, unless certain conditions are met, such as 100% return of water to source. This will effectively rule out new groundwater abstractions for public water supply and spray irrigation. The region continues to encourage the storage of surplus winter rainfall in reservoirs or lakes for summer use.

As the greatest demand for new licences is for public water supply, the question of need is being carefully scrutinised. A recent statement by the NRA Chairman is particularly appropriate in the South East.

“Before any new sources are developed, it is essential that water companies make sure that they are doing all they can to reduce leakage and to carry out effective demand management. The NRA supports selective domestic metering, with an appropriate tariff, in areas where water resources are stressed.

Where it can be shown that proper attention is not given to the control of leakage, or where appropriate consideration has not been given to the River Dorent, Kent introduction of selective metering, the

17 WATER RESOURCE to a maximum top water level of 53 m is a provision requiring a proportion of SCHEMES AOD, from a present level of the water released from Bewl Water to 40 m A O D . remain in the river and so benefit the A number of schemes which would lower reaches of the R.Medway. Yield increase the total reliable yield available This would increase the storage from the 29 Ml/day. within the region have been identified present 4,700 Ml to 20,000 Ml, and it over a period of years. In some cases would be filled from an enlarged Rother-Medway Link these have been investigated to a level of pumping station on R. Rother at detail that enables both benefits and Robertsbridge where there is an existing A link between the reservoirs at Bewl disadvantages to be evaluated. Others intake. The scheme would supply the and Darwell would enable surplus still require full feasibility and Hastings and Eastbourne areas and, via a supplies in either reservoir to be environmental impact to be established. Rother-Medway pipeline link, the transferred to the other catchment to Medway, West Kent and Mid Kent meet deficits in the supply area of the The high level of existing groundwater areas. It could also indirectly supply other reservoir. It would also add an development leaves little scope for any parts of the Mid Sussex area through a element of security to both reservoirs. further schemes. Those included in this new link between Arlington Darwell supply area is currently finely section are for groundwater (Eastbourne) and Barcombe (Mid balanced in terms of resources and augmentation of rivers where water is Sussex) reservoirs. The promoters of the demand. Transfers from Bewl to then abstracted for supply downstream. scheme are Southern Water Services, Darwell could, therefore, play a part in Others are for the construction of new owners of the existing Darwell, and the short to medium term once the reservoirs or the enlargement of Eastbourne Water, part of South East Yalding scheme has been completed. In existing ones. Water. An NRA requirement from the future supplies from an enlarged Darwell scheme will be improved low flows in could be transferred northwards into the R. Rother with more water available Bewl to meet increased demands in the Broad Oak Reservoir for agriculture in the Romney Marshes. Medway catchment. It is likely that the A dam is proposed across the Sarre Penn Yield up to 42 Ml/day. link would be constructed in phases, Valley three miles north of Canterbury firstly for north to south transfers and to form a new reservoir filled mainly by secondly for the reverse. Yield up to Voiding pumping from the Great Stour at Plucks 8 M l/day. Gutter. Alternative top water levels of This scheme consists of a new intake and 41.5 m and 47 m AOD have been pumping station on R. Medway at Hardham proposed. Water would be drawn from Yalding, six miles south-west of the reservoir and treated at the site, for Maidstone. Water taken in times of high The existing source at Hardham is an supply to parts of Mid Kent, Folkestone flow would be pumped through a intake and treatment works on the R. and Dover, and Thanet. Yield will pipeline to be laid in the valley of the Rother (West Sussex) near Pulborough, depend on the top water level and Teise, into Bewl Water, for release in operated in conjunction with boreholes abstraction conditions set for Plucks times of low flow. This is an extension in the lower greensand which are Gutter, which will need to protect of the existing M edway Scheme and pumped when the river falls below its existing water users and safeguard water would enable the reservoir to be refilled prescribed limit. Artificial recharge quality in the Stour estuary for fisheries more rapidly after being drawn down, experiments were carried out in the and general environmental purposes. and would increase the yield of the 1970s with a view to future expansion of The scheme could facilitate reductions in present scheme. It would supply the the source beyond its present licensed groundwater abstractions in the Medway and Mid Kent areas and, via a capacity of 75Ml/day, but it has always Nailbourne and Dour catchments. Yield Rother - Medway pipeline link, could operated well below this limit. The 40 - 90 Ml/day. supply Hastings and Eastbourne. source supplies Horsham and part of Crawley and it could potentially meet The NRA granted a licence for this increased demands in that area as well as Darwell Reservoir Enlargement scheme in 1992, but it has not yet been towards the coast. The realistic The existing reservoir on a tributary of constructed, and so has been omitted expansion limit of the source now needs the R. Rother north of Bexhill would be from available resource figures given in to be determined. enlarged by constructing a new dam up this document. A feature of the licence

18 T a b le 3

WATER BALANCE SHEET

FUTURE WATER USE WATER AVAILABILITY

Annual Peak Annual Peak Average Week Average Week

Maximum deficiencies Transfer of internal from Table 1 123 212 surplus resources 35 27

Amelioration of Low Flow s 50 50 Reduced leakage 80 80

Increase due to Climate Change 60 80 Domestic Metering 65 175

New Resource developments 247 270

Total future increase 233 342 Total new resource 427 552

All figures in Ml/day

Resource strategy: Main features and opt

This assumes that growth in per capita From the information in the table it is consumption continues at 1% per clear that reallocating supplies from annum and that the effect of domestic surplus to deficit areas, adopting demand metering would be to reduce average management measures of widespread domestic demand by 10% below the metering and the reduction of unmetered level. The level of residual unaccounted-for water to a level of unaccounted-for water is taken as six six litres/property/hour, would in litres/property/hour. themselves be sufficient to meet most of the likely 20 year deficiencies. With a lower growth rate such as has been considered earlier, the resources There is a fundamental decision to be balance would be more favourable and made over the next few years. In the the situation of self sufficiency would past the route of supply expansion has last even longer. This would enable been followed with little or no planned long distance transfer schemes, which use of demand management as a long­ are expensive in energy terms as well as term measure. Most demand manage­ in capital cost, to be postponed until well ment measures have been brought in as after the end of the present 30-year short term techniques to deal with horizon. unplanned situations caused by drought.

21 NRA Resource Development Strategy menting such measures. This issue is still list would be expected before items near developing and as a better understanding the bottom. Numbers also appear on The N RA’s proposed sequence of water of the savings in consumption resulting the map for identification. resource development from now on puts from metering is obtained so the demand management first and envisages significance in terms of postponing new 1. Yalding Scheme providing increased a general sequence: schemes will become clearer. supplies from the Medway Scheme at Bcwl Water and Maidstone for • Demand management: leakage The various elements already discussed Southern Water and Mid Kent reduction and domestic metering. have been brought together in the larger Water Co. This was licensed in • Transfer of internal regional surplus map, with other major new trunk mains. April 1992 by the NRA. Yield 29 to areas of deficit. Underlying all is a presumption that Ml/day. Completion date 1994/95. unaccounted-for water is reduced to no • Construction of new schemes in 2. Rother - Medway link between more than six litres/property/hour and Southern Region. Bewl Water and Darwell. Initially that domestic meters have been installed from north to south but in the • Transfers from other parts of the before new source developments longer term also south to north. country. proceed. The N RA ’s view of priorities Yield up to 8 Ml/day. First stage by for metering is indicated on the smaller 1994/95. The extent to which demand map, which divides the Region into management measures are pursued will High, Medium and Low categories. 3. NRA Itchen groundwater augmen­ in practice be determined by economic Timescales associated with these would tation scheme to maintain flow and and financial considerations as well as be roughly within five years, within ten quality in R. Itchen and support environmental issues. The NRA expects years and after ten years. further abstraction at Gaters Mill. cost savings which accrue from Licence granted in 1992; works con­ postponement of major capital schemes The elements are in rough chronological structed. Additional yield available will be set against the cost of imple­ order, so that those near the top of the from R. Itchen 70 - 90 Ml/day.

1 Yalding Scheme (part of Medway Scheme) 2 Rother-Medway Link lOTestwood New links and Sources 3 Itchen Groundwater Augmentation 11 Brood Oak Reservoir 4 Ringwould 12 Hardham 5 Barham 13 River Ouse at Borcombe Increossd use of Existing Links 6 Arlington Reservoir 14 NRA Test Groundwater Augmentation ond Sources 7 Bewl Water to Tunbridge Wells 15 Crowley Effluent or Alternative Supply 8 Darwell Enlorged 16 Hovant Thicket Reservoir Groundwater Augmentatk 9 Gaters Mill 17 Chillerton Reservoir

22 Testwood Lakes Chillerton Reservoir Hardham source in the West Sussex Rother catchment and at present is a The Testwood Lakes scheme being A site on the Isle of Wight in the Medina route through which resources are promoted by Southern Water Services catchment south of Newport was exported from Southern Region into the and supported by the NRA will provide investigated as a possible dam site in the R. Mole and hence into the Thames an additional operational facility by late 1970 s. The reservoir would have a catchment. Diversion of Crawley storing surplus water from the River capacity of 2,200M1 and could provide effluent back into the R. Ouse or R. Test for use in times of peak summer supplies to the Island, if required, Eden would increase the supplies demand. This scheme, for which beyond the present planning horizon. obtainable from their lower reaches, planning approval has been given, is Y ield 8-10 M l/day. subject to satisfactory water quality expected to be completed in about ten conditions being achieved and adequate years’ time and will store about 2,000 Ml replacement being available for of raw water. This, with the provision of Havant Thicket Reservoir abstractions from the R. Mole. a South-North strategic mains network, This new reservoir near Rowlands Castle Alternatively some measure of source will ensure maximum use is made of the would be filled by surplus winter flows substitution for Crawley may be sought, existing abstraction licence from the from Havant and Bedhampton springs, thereby releasing Hardham for use Test. and could then be used to meet peak within the Southern Region. demands in the Portsmouth Water Company area. It is estimated to have a Test Groundwater Scheme This proposal is at an early stage and the capacity of 8,700 Ml. Yield 30 Ml/day. feasibility remains to be established. In To enhance the modest capacity effect, it w ould be the first stage in provided by the Testwood Lakes scheme Crawley Effluent importing resources into this region. further abstraction would be possible if river flows were supported by Crawley is supplied from Weir Wood groundwater augmentation. The scheme reservoir in the Eden catchment and would consist of boreholes in the upper Test catchment discharging to the river for abstraction at Testwood and could be promoted by the NRA. This would also be available to meet any Isle of Wight deficit via an additional Cross Solent link, if required. Initial experience with domestic metering on the Island suggests however that this may not be needed before 2011. Yield 20 - 30 Ml/day.

River Itchen Development

Increased abstraction from R. Itchen at Gaters Mill could be supported by the N R A ’s Candover and Aire groundwater augmentation schemes. These are designed to maintain water quality in the lower reaches of the Itchen and to augment abstraction. A new main would be required to link the Chichester supply area of Portsmouth Water Company with the western supply area. Thus deficits in the Chichester area would be met from a surplus in the Portsmouth area, plus additional R. Itchen water. Yield 70 - 90 Ml/day.

19 NRA STRATEGY FOR MANAGING SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Previous sections have shown how public water supply demand is likely to grow, where deficiencies may occur, the demand management measures that are available and the water resources schemes that might be developed to meet remaining needs.

Arriving at a satisfactory position in 20-30 years’ time will depend on adopt­ ing a balance between these different measures in the meantime, such that environmental, water supply and cost considerations are all taken into account. There is no doubt that the Southern Region can remain self-sufficient in water resources for at least the next 20 and probably the next 30 years, without requiring transfer schemes from the north or west of the country, as the balance overleaf shows: 4. Bulk supplies from Southern Water 9. Increased use of Portsmouth Water 14. NRA Test Groundwater Services Ringwould source to Co. Gaters Mill intake on R.Itchen augmentation scheme. Folkestone and Dover. to supply the eastern part of the Yield 20 - 30 Ml/day. Company area. 5. Bulk supplies from Mid Kent Water 15. Possible redirection of effluent from Co. Barham source to Folkestone 10. Increased use of Southern Water Crawley into R. Ouse catchment to and Dover. Services Testwood intake on R.Test support downstream abstraction, or to supply Andover area and, in the an alternative source in R. Thames 6. Eastbourne Water Co. Arlington longer term, additional supplies to catchment to supply growth at reservoir linked to Mid Sussex the Isle of Wight. Crawley. After 2011. Water Co. River Ouse source at Barcombe, for transfers in either 11. Broad Oak Reservoir promoted by 16. Havant Thicket Reservoir in the direction. Southern Water, Mid Kent Water Portsmouth Water Co. area. Co. and Folkestone and Dover to Yield 30 Ml/day. After 2021. 7. Bulk supplies from Southern Water supply East Kent. Yield 40 - 90 and Mid Kent Water Co. Bewl Ml/day. 17. Chillerton Reservoir on the Isle of Water Reservoir to West Kent Wight. Yield 8-10 M l/day. Water Co. at Tunbridge Wells. 12. Expansion of Southern Water After 2021. Services Hardham source to supply 8. Southern Water Services Darwell the Sussex Coastal area and growth Reservoir enlarged jointly with in West Sussex. Eastbourne Water Co. to supply Hastings and Eastbourne, and 13. Bulk supply from Mid Sussex Water indirectly Mid Sussex. Co. R. Ouse source at Barcombe for Yield 42 Ml/day. Southern Water.

Water metering priority areas

Medium NRA Southern Region Boundary Low : Southern Water Services (Supply) and Water Companies

Already metered

23 KEY ISSUES reduce the incidence of restrictions • A new Environmental charge raised by virtue of reduced demands, from taxes The National Rivers Authority particularly peak demands. These options cover the range of welcomes views on all aspects of the Adoption of a more stringent design possibilities corresponding with regional strategy discussed in this standard would require greatly views that range from treating Low document, but particularly on the increased investment which may be Flows as local problems to be solved following key issues: considered unjustified by the locally, to national problems that modest return available. should be solved on behalf of the nation. Departure from the present a) Demand Management d) Balance Between Abstraction method of funding would require Demand management measures, and the Environment legislative changes. particularly domestic metering and This document foresees an increase reduced leakage, are proposed as the in the overall level o f abstraction in first steps before major new f) Re-use of Water the Region of nearly 25% over the resources schemes are developed. next 20 years, concentrated in six In future the NRA will look to less The NRA believes that the costs rivers and located at or near tidal marine disposal and greater inland involved are finely balanced, but limits in four (Test, Itchen, treatment of effluent, with the there are long term benefits for the Medway, Stour). In the other two possibility of re-use through environment which have not yet (the two Rothers) abstraction will downstream abstraction near the been quantified. Is there general be balanced by reservoir storage or tidal limit. By discharging treated support for embarking on the groundwater. Against this, effluent as far upstream as possible demand management route now? significant reductions in abstraction the resource potential of rivers will from R. Darent, Nailbournc, be enhanced without increasing the

b) Regional Self Sufficiency Wallop Brook and possibly R. overall level of abstraction. Hamble and R. Meon will It is acknowledged that this course This document proposes a policy of contribute towards better aquifer of action may risk changes in developing resources indigenous to management and provide good trophic status in the watercourse the region so far as possible, before environmental improvements. Does and hence give rise to changes in calling on long distance transfers this policy strike the right balance designation of sensitivity as set from the north and west, because of between the needs of water users down in the UWWI) 91/271 EC. the high cost and energy and the water environment? The cost and impact of such changes consumption involved. The NRA would be taken into account. National Strategy indicates such

transfers would be at least twice as e) Funding Alleviation Works expensive as local schemes. Is this in Low Flow Catchments g) Education policy supported? These works will require There is no doubt that great savings considerable future investment, can be achieved through careful use c) Level of Service of exceeding the NRA water resources of water in homes, industry and Public Water Supply capital expenditure programme, agriculture. The NRA is uniquely which at present is the source of well placed to raise public awareness The current drought has any direct funding or compensation of the complete water cycle and the demonstrated that resources payments to abstractors. This raises effects of water use and aims designed for a one in 50 year the question of whether further fund­ particularly to target the young. drought can withstand a more ing for alleviation should come from: This document provides base data severe event, with the imposition of on rainfall, water sources, water restrictions on water use. The NRA • Regional Abstraction Charges conservation, use, future growth believes it would be inappropriate, (as at present) and development which will be for reasons of environmental • A National Levy raised by NRA drawn upon in compiling impact, to adopt a more stringent educational material. design criterion from now on. Use • Successors to the agency responsible of metering would in any case for the problem

24 OTHER PLANNING are an important consideration and the groundwater storage capacity. ORGANISATIONS Southern Region of the N R A is in dialogue with Kent County Council and This document is intended to be of The NRA’s national and regional water the water companies. particular use to County and District resources strategy has implications for Council Members and Officers and their Local Authority planning which is The County Structure Plans are the most response is invited. conducted at three levels: important level of interaction between

• Department of Environment and the NRA and planners. NRA demand regional planning organisations, such forecasts are all firmly based on County as the South East Regional Plan Council forecasts of populations and (SERPLAN). dwellings. CONSULTATION

• County Councils, through structure The NRA provides advice on the The NRA staff have a regular dialogue plans. constraints on water resource on water resource matters with water development and proposes appropriate companies, major abstractors and • District Councils, through local plans policy statements for inclusion in interest groups representing water users and planning procedures.Water Structure Plans. Regular liaison and environmental matters. This report resources strategy is relevant to all meetings are held with County Council was considered by the Southern three levels. members and senior officers. Regional Rivers Advisory Committee on the 8th September 1992 and is now being sent to a wide range of consultees. Serplan - South East Region Counties and NRA Southern Region NRA Regional Committees Local Planning Authorities (County and District) MPs Customer Service Committees Water Companies English Nature Countryside Commission CPRE OFWAT

Comments on the document and key issues are invited and should be sent to:

Mr G A Burrow Principal Water Resources Officer National Rivers Authority Guildbourne House ------Southern Region Boundary W orthing ------County Boundaries West Sussex BN11 1LD

The N R A ’s Southern Region is a The NRA is consulted by county and by Jan u ary 31 1993. significant part of the SERPLAN area. district councils on planning Together with the Thames and Anglian applications. The main consideration is Regions discussions have been held with usually protecting groundwater A final regional strategy will be SERPLAN on water resources for the resources from pollution by waste produced in 1993, taking into account South East Region. The proposals for disposal sites and quarrying of chalk or comments received from consultees on developing the East Thames Corridor gravel which can remove valuable this statement.

25 References Water Resources Development Strategy A Discussion Document NRA March 1992 Managing the Drought and Water Resources Key Issue Statements NRA June 1992 Southern Region Water Resources Policy NRA Southern Region February 1991 1990 Regional Demand Forecasts for Potable Water Supply NRA Southern Region June 1990 National Metering Trials Second Interim Report WRC July 1990 Kent Structure Plan Third Review Consultation Document Kent County Council June 1992 Water on Demand? The Case for Demand Management in Water Charging Policy CPRE March 1991 Using Water Wisely. A Consultation Paper on Water Conservation DOE July 1992 Demands and Resources of Water Undertakers in England and Wales. Preliminary Report Under Section 143(2X») Water Act 1989 NRA March 1991 Symposium on ‘Paying for Water’ IWEM 29th January 1992 Paying for Water. A Time for Decisions. A Consultation Paper. OFWAT November 1990 Paying for Water. The Way Ahead. The Director General’s Conclusions. OFWAT December 1991 Water Demand Forecasting. V Gardiner and P Herrington (editors) Geo Books Norwich 1986 Tough New Action on Low Flow Rivers Statement by NRA Chairman June 15 1992 Water Demand Prognosis in the Federal Republic of Germany - Methods, Results, Development. R Stadtfeld IWSA Workshop Basel February 1990 Leakage Control Policy and Practice WAA WRC August 1985 Possible Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources and Water Demand. C J A Binnic P R Herrington Unpublished paper June 1992 Water Supplies in the U K in the the 1990’s and Beyond Institution of Civil Engineers 1991 Water for the Future in Kent - Issues and Options. Binnic and Partners July 1991 A Report on the Drought of 1989 to 1991. Prepared for NRA Southern Region. Met Office April 1992 Water Facts in a Nutshell. Water Information July 1991. Water Services Association The Cost of Quality - A Strategic Assessment of the Prospects for Future Water Bills. OFWAT August 1992

Glossary Aquifer Rock formation containing water in recoverable quantities. Augmentation The addition of water from an alternative source to increase flow. Effective Rainfall The quantity of rainfall remaining after losses due to evaporation and transpiration by plants. Groundwater Water occupying all voids within an aquifer. Regulated Rivers Rivers where the flow is augmented through the addition of water from another source. Surface Water All streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and watercourses occurring at the ground surface. One in 50 year drought A drought so severe it is likely to occur only once every 50 years.

1 mJ (1 cubic metre) = 1000 litres or 220 gallons.

1 Ml (1 megalitre) = 1000 m} or 220,000 gallons.

1 gal (I gallon) = 4.546 litres

26 Printed on environmentally friendly paper. The major fibrous content is mode from Bogasse - sugar cane residue previously burnt as waste. NRA National Rivers Authority Southern Region

Regional Office

Guildbourne House Chatsworth Road Worthing West Sussex BN11 1LD (0903)820692

October 1992