Future Water, The Government’s water strategy for England
In 2008, the government published Future Water, The Government’s water strategy for England. The strategy was published as a response to the 2004-06 South East of England droughts and the floods of 2007. It set out the government’s vision for the water sector in 2030 and the measures proposed to help deliver that vision.
In the Foreword, the then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn said:
“In England, the average person uses about 150 litres of water a day – that’s about a tonne a week!... The South East and East of England already face increasing demand on a finite water supply. The drought of 2004-06 was only managed through controls on what we could use water for. This was not a one-off; indeed droughts are likely to be more common. By 2080, some long term climate projections forecast half as much rainfall in summer (nothing like fully offset by 30% more rainfall in winter) in the South East. We need to plan ahead and each of us needs to play our part…. We have, of course, not only to cope with too little water. Indeed the last year has been characterised more by too much water with serious flooding in many parts of the country. Sir Michael Pitt’s report into these floods shows that we still have lessons to learn as a country about defending ourselves from, and learning to live with, floods.”
The document describes ‘...a vision of a sector that values and protects its water resources; that delivers water to customers through fair, affordable and cost-reflective charges; where flood risk is addressed with markedly greater understanding and use of good surface water management; and where the water industry has cut its greenhouse gas emissions.’ This includes:
- The sustainable delivery of stable water supplies.
- Clean water available for nature, people and business.
- An improved and protected water environment.
- An improvement in canals, lakes, rivers and seas for people and wildlife which benefits angling, sailing and other recreational past times.
- Appropriate water charging.
- Action for flood risk through the appropriate use of good surface water management.
- A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the water sector.
- An understanding and resilience to climate change including the likely increase in the frequency of droughts and flooding and the rise in population levels.
The document is divided into the following sections:
- Ministerial Foreword.
- Executive Summary.
- Chapter 1 – Future water.
- Chapter 2 – Water demand.
- Chapter 3 – Water supply.
- Chapter 4 – Water quality in the natural environment.
- Chapter 5 – Surface water drainage.
- Chapter 6 – River and coastal flooding.
- Chapter 7 – Greenhouse gas emission.
- Chapter 8 – Charging for water.
- Chapter 9 – Regulatory framework, competition and innovation.
- Chapter 10 – Summary of vision and actions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Catchment flood management plans.
- Flood.
- Flood and Water Management Act.
- Flood insurance.
- Flood Re.
- Flood risk management plans.
- Flood risk.
- Marine energy and hydropower.
- Pitt Review Lessons learned from the 2007 floods.
- Planning for floods.
- River engineering.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).
- Water engineering.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Considering building acoustics with the AT Journal.
Why building acoustic considerations must be non-negotiable.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
Top 50 Women in engineering 2022.
Inventors and innovators at ICE.
Life, death and art at the Stuart court. Book review.
Real estate, place adaptation and innovation.
Review and comment on the revised draft before July 11.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
IHBC's 25th anniversary 2022 Aberdeen School.
A blended event and triumphant return.
New Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair selected.
Mark Reynolds succeeds Andy Mitchell as Co-Chair of CLC
Designing Buildings is 10 years old.
Types of work to existing buildings.
From alteration to deconstruction on DB.