‘Taps in West will keep on running’

CONSUMERS in the Westcountry have been assured that their taps will not dry up despite a warning that a “jaws of death” water shortage will hit England within 25 years.

The Environment Agency says climate change and increased demand from a growing population mean the nation will not have enough clean water in the decades ahead.

Sir James Bevan, the agency’s chief executive, said that reservoirs and desalination plants would have to be built, companies would have to reduce leaks and consumers would have to cut their use to avoid the “jaws of death” where the line of rising demand crosses that of falling supplies on a graph.

The region’s two supply companies both welcomed Sir James’ message on conservation.

But they said that the Westcountry was well placed to avoid any shortages.

“Our long-term water resources forecast illustrates that South West Water is well placed to meet forecast demand for the next 25 years,” said Rob Scarrott, head of water resources at the company.

A spokesman for Wessex Water said: “We’re confident we have sufficient resources to meet demand.”

The companies said measures to reduce leakages in mains and in consumers’ properties and helping customers cut usage were having effect.

Sir James said heavily populated regions such as the South East would face serious shortages, but cutting individual daily use from 140 litres to 100 litres and halving leakages would mean 20 million more people could be supplied.

CONSUMERS have been assured that taps will not run dry in the South West despite a warning that England is facing a “jaws of death” shortage of clean water within 25 years.

The Environment Agency says climate change and rising demand from a growing population mean the nation is on course to be short of water unless consumption and waste are reduced.

Sir James Bevan, the agency’s chief executive, said desalination plants and new reservoirs would also have to be built to avoid what he described as the “jaws of death”, where the line of rising demand crosses the line of falling supplies on a graph.

However the South West’s two water companies, while urging customers to back Sir James’ conservation message, said the region was not in line for a shortage.

Rob Scarrott of South West Water said company plans showed problems were not looming. “Our longterm water resources forecast illustrates that South West Water is well placed to meet forecast demand for the next 25 years,” said Mr Scarrott, head of water resources.

“But it’s important that we are not complacent in our region and that we all use water wisely because it is a precious resource. This not only helps the environment but helps to keep customer bills down.”

The company’s 2020-25 business plan, one of only three to be fasttracked by industry regulator Ofwat, set targets to help customers reduce their use as well as targeting a further 15% reduction in leakage in the network and in consumers’ properties, he added.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: “We’re confident we have sufficient resources to meet demand for the next 25 years and beyond.

“Leakage has halved in the Wessex Water region since the mid-1990s and we’ve invested £230 million in a water supply grid, enabling water to be moved around the region to where it’s needed most. That said, we always encourage our customers to use water responsibly for the benefit of everyone and the environment.”

Sir James was speaking at a conference organised by water-saving organisation Waterwise, which heard that many parts of England, particularly the heavily-populated South East, will face serious shortages by 2050. But if individual consumption were cut from 140 litres a day to 100 litres by 2050 and leakages were halved, an additional 20 million people could be supplied without taking any more from the environment, he said.