News & Articles
17-Sep-2009
A joint statement issued by Ofwat and the WWF offers support to government plans to change the water abstraction licensing process. Earlier this year Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) consulted on proposals to increase time limiting of abstraction licences. Dr. Tom Le Quesne of the WWF comments that the current abstraction licensing regime is flawed, adding that ‘climate change is adding extra urgency to the development of effective ways of managing our natural resources’.
For the full news item please visit Ofwat’s website at www.ofwat.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressnotices2008/prs_ib1209wwfabstract
10-Aug-2009
Diffuse nitrate pollution caused by prolonged agricultural activities is a big problem for rivers, lakes and aquifers as levels creep above acceptable limits. An EC LIFE Environment Project has been working on this problem and claims to offer a potential solution. The project team have reported that nitrate levels in shallow groundwater have been reduced by up to 90% at a test site in Northern Ireland. A permeable reactive barrier was used to convert nitrates in the groundwater to nitrogen gas before it entered the river.
The full news article can be viewed on the European Water News website at
www.european-waternews.com/news/id710-Nitrate_Problems_Are_Soluble_at_a_Price.html
10-Aug-2009
With the world's population likely to rise by three billion people by 2050, ensuring food security is high on the global agenda, particularly in light of increasing environmental challenges. An assessment of the UK’s food security has just been published by DEFRA, in which water scarcity is highlighted as an important issue. The assessment highlights that improved water efficiency is required to increase cereal yields per unit of water.
The full news article can be viewed on the Water UK website at www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/fdsec
More information about DEFRA’s assessment can be found on their website at
www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2009/food-0810.htm
03-Aug-2009
Water resource plans for three water companies in England, each with a significant reliance on groundwater, require further consideration in public according to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Thames Water’s and South East Water’s plans will be subject to public enquiry whilst a public hearing on Portsmouth Water’s plan is proposed. It is the first time that water companies have been required to prepare, consult on, publish and maintain plans about how they will manage water resources sustainably whilst still meeting demand. The draft plans were prepared last summer and have been reviewed by the Secretary of State. Ten of the 21 water companies in England have had their plans approved for final publication, a further eight are required to supply additional information.
To read the full news article please visit DEFRA’s website at www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090803a.htm
01-Aug-2009
High rainfall throughout July greatly reduced soil moisture deficits causing a notable increase in river flows and new peak July flows in some rivers in the west of the country. Groundwater levels however remain within their normal summer range as July’s rainfall failed to cancel soil moisture deficits in most aquifer outcrop areas. With the rest of the summer expected to be unsettled and indications of a wet winter, groundwater recharge is expected to start much earlier than normal.
To read the full hydrological summary for the UK please visit CEH’s website at
www.nwl.ac.uk/ih/nrfa/monthly_summaries/2009/07/summary.html
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