Principles of Water
The water cycle is fundamental to the geography, ecology and quality of life in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire is located within the driest region in the UK. Its physical characteristics, such as the mix between growing urban settlements and productive rural landscapes, and different soil types, place it at risk from diminishing water resources. Economic development and increased housing numbers mean Hertfordshire’s built environment can affect the natural water cycle in multiple ways:
• the rate of abstraction of groundwater;
• the fate of rainfall;
• the volume and quality of water run-off;
• the quality of water courses; and,
• the rate of recharge of the aquifer.
Maintaining a balance between each of the above is crucial for protecting sensitive habitats (such as chalk streams), for minimising the risk of flood damage and for ensuring a sustainable source of fresh water for human consumption. However, development has traditionally paid little attention to water efficiency or management.
According to the Hertfordshire Quality of Life report, water consumption in Hertfordshire has risen during the last ten years from 802 million litres a day to 829 million litres a day. Leakage rates have decreased over this period but the absolute volume of water demanded has increased by more. Groundwater resources across the region are consequently at or approaching full utilisation.
Climate change projections forecast that by 2050, Hertfordshire could see a 17% increase in rainfall or snow in winter, and a 19% decrease in rainfall during the summer. The potential increase of drought conditions in summer is well documented. The increase in flooding episodes, in summer as well as in winter, is less obvious and must also be brought into planning consideration.
To avoid significant problems in the future, major improvements are required in the way the built environment is planned and designed. Developments must act in synchronisation with the natural water cycle to avoid an imbalance between water extracted and that returned to the groundwater and aquifers.
These improvements fall under the collective heading of ‘Integrated Water Management’. This module reviews the importance of planning for Integrated Water Management and some typical solutions it entails.
To view the latest Hertfordshire Quality of Life Report visit http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/qol/
The Water Cycle
