Latest News
News and updates from Envireau Water.
Severn Trent & Anglian Water propose water transfer scheme
It has been reported today that Severn Trent Water is proposing to sell their excess water to Anglian Water, which supplies one of the most drought hit areas of the country.
The company plans to pump groundwater from borehole sources into the River Tame, which is a tributary of the River Trent. The water would then be re-abstracted at Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire. Up to 30 million litres of water (30,000m3) could be transferred each day, which is enough to supply 100,000 homes, and the scheme could begin operating as early as June 2012.
The concept of 'water transfer and re-abstraction' is not new. Envireau Water has secured the associated abstraction licensing for two such schemes over the last 3 years for agricultural clients.
Utilising existing watercourses as conduits for flow not only reduces the cost of moving water overland through pipes but also can have many environmental benefits to the watercourses used at times of naturally low flow.
If you would like to discuss water transfer schemes further, then contact Envireau Water on 01332 871882 or via the Contact Form to see how we can help you plan for the future.
Hosepipe bans now in force
The previously publicised hosepipe bans have now been in force for 5 days in the drought affected areas of the South-East and East Anglia.
The bans are affecting approximately 20 million people and have already lead to discussions about water company leakage rates, as well as the exemption of private water supplies from the same bans.
There has been some rainfall over the last couple of weeks but we are now into the spring so there remains little potential for groundwater recharge prior to next winter, unless extreme rainfall is received.
.Hydrological study of the Chichester Plain
Envireau Water has just completed a large scale review of the groundwater and surface water resources for an agricultural client on the Chichester Plain. Our review provides a comprehensive evaluation of current and future water supply options, which will help our client to ensure a long-term and sustainable supply of water for their business.
Water is a business critical resource for many of our clients and therefore assessing the security of supply is an essential aspect of forward business planning. If you are concerned about your water supply now or in the future, then contact Envireau Water on 01332 871882 or via the Contact Form to see how we can help you best manage your existing supply and plan for the future.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) replaces PPS25 for control of flood risk
Following the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Envireau Water has reviewed those sections relating to flood risk that were previously regulated by the Environment Agency under Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25). The flood risk section of the NPPF makes no “significant” changes to the flood risk policy and covers all aspects that were previously covered under PPS25, albeit in a revamped form.
Therefore, while there may be changes to the approach taken by planning consultants in preparing applications, the requirements and restrictions imposed by flood risk management policies remain almost the same.
If you would like to discuss the implication of NPPF and flood risk or any other flood risk or drainage query, please contact Lee Clarke on 01332 871882.
The drought spreads north reaching Yorkshire
The Environment Agency has today declared East and South Yorkshire to have joined the many other areas of the country already in drought.
The rivers Don, Rother, Hull and Derwent are at low or very low levels for the time of year but public water supplies are unlikely to be affected in the region. Yorkshire Water's reservoirs are at 94%, which is normal for the time of year, but groundwater levels in East Yorkshire are below usual levels.
What will be the next area to succumb? At least 1 groundwater level monitoring site in Wales was showing levels significantly lower than normal last week just lending further support to the fact that the spread is continuing.