Water

Despite our reputation as a rainy island, we have less available water than Italy or Greece.  Anglia is the driest region yet many new homes are planned for here, thus increasing the demands made on our already limited water supply.  The last few years have seen periods of both significant drought and destructive flooding, largely due to unusual weather patterns.  It is important to use water wisely to ensure there is enough during these dry times.

 The average UK citizen uses around 150 litres of water a day, an increase of 70% in the last 40 years and more than the European average. Around a third of this is used for flushing the toilet and another third for baths and showers.  Outside in the garden, watering using sprinklers can consume a vast quantity of water.

Using bottled water in the UK, which enjoys high quality tap water, is wasteful of oil and water resources.  3 litres of water are used to produce 1 litre of bottled water, and transport emissions are heavy because water is dense.  Some products are imported from countries where water is relatively scarce. 

Groundwater quality has deteriorated over the last 50 years as a result of pollution from industrial effluents, leaking sewers, landfill, and run-off from salted roads. Using manure, fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture also harms the quality of the water in underground water courses and rivers.