News & Articles
01-Jun-2009
The Environment Research Funders Forum (ERFF) has launched a new online database of environmental research projects. The database provides downloadable information on nearly 20,000 projects financed using public funds from ERFF member organisations such as the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
To search the database visit www.erff.org.uk/databases/textsearch.aspx
Or for more information about ERFF visit www.erff.org.uk/index.aspx
12-May-2009
All new groundwater abstraction licences, issued under the Water Act 2003, are time limited so that the Environment Agency may review abstracted volumes and licence conditions when they come up for renewal. However old licences issued before the Water Act 2003 came into force are not subject to this control and in all only 20% of licences are time limited.
Defra and the WAG consider the time limiting of licences to be crucial to reduce the impacts of climate change and to meet the aims of the Government’s 2008 water strategy ‘Future Water’. The consultation runs for 12 weeks, the results of which will feed into the Floods and Water Management Bill.
To view the consultation visit www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/water-abstraction/index.htm
21-Apr-2009
The draft Flood and Water Management Bill has been published in response to Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the Summer 2007 floods, with emergency flood response and protection of water supplies core to it’s aims. The draft Bill will clarify responsibilities for flooding, including roles for groundwater flood mapping and groundwater flood warnings. The draft Bill also aims to encourage the take up of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) and to give water companies more powers to conserve water during droughts.
To view the draft Flood and Water Management Bill consultation documents visit www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/flooding/flow/index.htm
Consultation closes on the 24 July 2009.
23-Feb-2009
Despite a very wet year, in which 2008 recorded the 3rd highest annual rainfall since records began in 1914, December has been generally cold and dry. Recharge to the major aquifers in the UK during December has been limited and as a result winter recovery of groundwater levels is less than expected. By the end of the month groundwater levels in many aquifers were normal for the time of year and the likelihood of groundwater flooding is now greatly reduced.
The hydrological summaries for the UK are published on the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology website.
23-Feb-2009
Environment regulators across the UK have outlined plans to improve the water environment and are asking the public for their views. The Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland and NIEA in Northern Ireland have prepared management plans for all river basins across the UK. The plans, which are required as part of the Water Framework Directive, outline measures to protect and improve the water environment such as reducing groundwater pollution and improving water efficiency.
All the plans are open to public consultation until 22 June 2009 and can be viewed online at the Environment Agency, SEPA and NIEA websites.
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