Archived press release

Water companies must save water not waste it says FOE

21 February 1997

Friends of the Earth has condemned today's call by Water Companies for more reservoirs and transfer schemes. The Companies should help customers save water by investing in conservation measures instead.

Matt Phillips wildlife campaigner of Friends of the Earth said:

"Water companies and farmers are threatening damage to hundreds of our wetlands and rivers by taking too much water [1]. Instead of planning transfer schemes and new reservoirs which have environmental and economic costs [2],they must help customers save water. This would be better for the community[3], better for jobs [4], better for the environment [5] and will keep bills low [6] in the long term.

"These companies have enormous guaranteed profits. It's time they invested some of this money in making rivers such as the Wey in Hampshire flow again[7] and managing the demand for water rather than making plans which will do nothing to stop the waste of water."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] At least 354 wildlife sites throughout the UK (including 201 SSSIs and 101 rivers) have been identified as under threat from over-abstraction of water. Sites include Thorne Moor in Yorkshire, the River Kennet in Wiltshire and Redgrave and Lopham fen in Suffolk. Biodiversity Challenge Group. (1996). High and Dry. Biodiversity Challenge Group, Sandy,Bedfordshire.

[2] Transfer schemes help spread pollution, change the chemical properties and temperature of rivers and help invasive species such as the Signal crayfish and Giant hogweed spread. Reservoirs are expensive and unnecessary as water conservation measures can save over 40 per cent of our water usage according to the Government's Environment Agency.

[3] The Uff report on the Yorkshire drought of 1995 said: "Demand management is in the interests of the whole community". The House of Commons Environment Select Committee inquiry into water conservation and supply also recommended water conservation measures as the way forward, instead of reservoirs and transfer schemes. The Environment Agency and the water industry regulator Ofwat both state that demand management is more important than reservoirs.

[4] The experience of other countries is that water conservation measures bring between 30% and 50% more jobs than new infrastructure development.

[5] Saving 40% of our water usage would preclude the need for new infrastructure and allow the recovery of our endangered wetlands.

[6] Water conservation measures are cheaper than new infrastructure development. The Yorkshire Water Kielder Transfer scheme cost £40 million. Friends of the Earth identified a set of water conservation measures which would have saved as much water for just £27 million. Measures included installation of water saving devices in cisterns and urinals,audits and advice for industry, installing water butts and showers.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust