Summer 2021 SmartWater by Envireau Water
Abstraction Licenses at Risk of Revocation
Across England, the Environment Agency is proposing to revoke abstraction licences as part of a programme to help restore sustainable abstraction and to conserve the use of water resources. For the last couple of years, the risk of revocation has hovered in the air, but this risk has now become a reality.
So, which licence holders are at risk? Licensees who do not use or frequently (and significantly) underuse their authorised abstraction volume are being targeted by the Environment Agency and asked if they would like to voluntarily revoke their licence. The Environment Agency is targeting those abstractions in sensitive catchments and catchments under increasing pressure. Whilst freeing up unused licences may provide more opportunities for others to obtain them, it is also important to note that some licensees only use their licences periodically and these need to be retained. In the words of our Abstraction Licensing Specialist, Tamsin Morey, ‘Use it or lose it, but if you don’t need it, don’t keep it!’
As the UK’s leading independent water consultancy specialising in abstraction licensing, and a proven track record solving licensing issues, we can provide support should you be approached regarding licence revocation. We understand the issues that present themselves from both the licence holder and the Environment Agency, based on 25 years of liaison, negotiation and dealing with changing regulations.
If you have any further questions contact Tamsin Morey,
at TamsinMorey@envireauwater.co.uk or give us a call on
01332 871 882.
The Risk of Our Declining Waterways
In recent months, the declining state of our waterways has frequently headlined our news. With very few rivers and estuaries across the country escaping declining water quality, whether due to excess nutrients caused by discharged raw sewage, consequences of increased developments, or runoff from agricultural land, there are risks to the ecological functioning of the river. While developments of all kinds are perceived to be the problem, there is more to this issue than first meets the eye.
The extreme wet weather and its increased frequency, along with an increasing need for new housing, increases the load on sewage treatment plants and the rivers they discharge into. Higher rainfall intensities lead to increased surface runoff and soil erosion which results in nutrients locked within the soil being washed into our waterways, through no direct fault of the agricultural industry. However, land can be managed to reduce erosion and fewer nutrients can be spread; sewage treatment works, and sewers can be upgraded, with sufficient time and money.
Nature-based solutions and traditional engineering approaches enable us to combat our water quality issues. Selecting the most appropriate solution requires a robust understanding of the causes of the problem, not just the symptoms. And this is where we come in. With our unique positioning combining our understanding of natural water systems, in-depth experience of water quality problems and regulatory controls in catchments across the UK, our team will support you to deliver practical and effective solutions.
Get in touch with technical lead RebeccaHaw@envireauwater.co.uk or call her on 01332 871 882.
The Risks to Both Sides of HS2
The development of HS2 is dividing opinions across the country as well as within our sectors. Whether you are pro-rail, want cars and lorries off the roads, and faster journey times to London; or think it is an environmentally damaging, money-sucking white elephant; what is certain is, it is being built, now.
Our ability to deliver technical assessments to a high standard, along with the breadth of services we provide, and our understanding of the special HS2 regulations, has led us to undertaking a range of HS2 projects. From construction companies and contractors to affected third parties, businesses and individuals, our current involvement includes hydrogeological support for the construction phases of the development, hydrogeological and hydrological impact assessments, developing temporary water supplies for construction, and replacing impacted private water supplies.
This array of project work is providing our hydrogeologists with an advanced understanding of the whole development, its potential impacts on the natural water system, and the solutions which can be implemented to reduce impacts and risks to an absolute minimum. By understanding the ‘big picture’, ensuring the use of good science, and taking a professional approach, we remain objective and impartial.
If water poses a risk to you, get in touch via info@envireauwater.co.uk or
give us a call on 01332 871 882.
