RSS East Of England Plan - Broads Authority

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Section 10 Water
Section 10
Water
10.1 The East of England is the driest region in England, and one of the fastest growing. Water resources are limited and there
are already supply-demand issues in parts of the region. In some catchments abstraction is not reliable during dry winters
and under predicted scenarios for climate change more frequent drought conditions are expected, leading to increased
pressure on resources. Figure 8 shows the main rivers and their catchments.
10.2 Responsibility for planning and managing water supply rests with the water companies. Their water resources plans show
how they intend to manage water supply and demand for the following 25 years, and determine the level of service for their
water resource zones. Figure 9 shows the water supply companies and their water resources zones.
POLICY WAT1: Water Efficiency
The Government will work with the Environment Agency, water companies, OFWAT, and regional stakeholders to
ensure that development in the spatial strategy is matched with improvements in water efficiency delivered through
a progressive, year on year, reduction in per capita consumption rates. Savings will be monitored against the per
capita per day consumption target set out in the Regional Assembly’s monitoring framework.
10.3 The Environment Agency’s Water Resources Strategy for the East of England seeks a ‘twin track’ approach to meet the
increasing demand for water in the region, whereby demand management (water efficiency) and resource development
(increased supply) must go hand in hand. Government expects this approach to be reflected in the water resource plans.
10.4 Policy WAT 1 recognises the regional requirement to use less water which will be pursued through a co-ordinated
programme including changes to Building Regulations, the Code for Sustainable Homes, fiscal measures, incentive
schemes and other measures to reduce water consumption and wastage. Water efficient fittings and appliances should
help achieve efficiencies in both new and existing development.
10.5 The Code for Sustainable Homes promotes a range of water efficiency levels in new dwellings, rising to a target
consumption not exceeding 80 litres/ head/ day at level 5. The Government is to bring forward an amendment to Building
Regulations in 2008 including a requirement for a minimum standard of water efficiency in new homes. It has also
committed to review the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
10.6 Current average domestic consumption is about 150 litres per person per day, whereas the Environment Agency has
advised that 110 litres represents a sustainable level of consumption, which is achievable assuming the deployment of
water efficient fittings and the wise use of appliances. Through EERA’s monitoring framework consumption will be
monitored against a target for domestic consumption of 105 litres/ head/ day (Level 3 of the Government’s Code for
Sustainable Homes). This would equate to savings in water use of at least 25% in new development and 8% in existing
development, compared with 2006 levels. Progress towards this target will inform the next review of RSS.