| 18/10/2005
- Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency,
today welcomed the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
State of the Nation Report saying it was an important
contribution in planning for the future sustainability
of England and Wales.
The State of the Nation Report covers
areas of responsibility for the Environment Agency such
as flood, waste and water management.
"The Environment Agency agrees
with the ICE’s overall appraisal of future needs in flood
management - and our action continues in this important
area," Barbara Young said.
"However, we believe that when
it comes to managing water, more emphasis should be placed
on water efficiency.
"We need to take a two-pronged
approach to long-term water resource management, combining
water resource developments such as new reservoirs, with
better water efficiency.
"Water is a finite resource.
All the water we use is taken from streams, rivers or
aquifers. If too much is taken our rivers and wetlands
will be damaged, affecting plants and wildlife as well
as river users, like anglers and boat users.
"Over the past decade, on average
each person in England and Wales is now using about an
extra 15 litres per day.
"As just one measure, if water-efficient
toilets, showers, taps and white goods were installed
in all new homes, the amount of water that new homes use
could be reduced by between 20 to 30 per cent.
"Most people can save at least
10% of the water they use by making a few small changes
to their daily habits. For example, by not leaving taps
running, taking showers instead of baths.
"Other measures such as water
metering also help. Metering makes people aware of how
much water they are using and provides an incentive to
conserve - research shows that people who opt for water
meters use around 10% less water in the year following
its installation.
"The Environment Agency is doing
what it can, but action is required at all levels, with
business, industry, local government and the public all
playing a key role in reducing water consumption,"
Barbara Young said. |
