3-Apr-2006 - Local MP
Gregory Barker promised to save water, by turning
the tap off when he brushes his teeth, at a reception
at the House of Commons last week organised by
the Environment Agency.
The commitment by the Bexhill
and Battle MP is part of the Environment Agency’s
World Environment Day campaign and will save 10,950
litres per year. This is particularly important
because of the current drought caused by 15 months
of below average rainfall. 2005 was the third
driest year since records began in 1897 – drier
even than the drought year of 1976.
The reception for MPs in the
South East and East of England was held to increase
their awareness of the issues facing the environment
and how the Environment Agency is creating a better
place to live. It was an opportunity to ask questions
and find out more about the work the Environment
Agency is doing and the challenges faced in the
South East and Anglia, specifically water resources,
flooding and waste.
Jon Cruddas MP hosted the event
with the three Environment Agency Regional Directors
from Southern, Thames and Anglian regions.
Howard Davidson, Regional Director
for Southern Region said: "We want to work
with local MPs to ensure that decision-makers
are well informed, and that the current rate of
environmental improvement continues so that we
all have a better place to live.
"However, we are experiencing
a drought and even though we have frequent rainfall
it isn't enough.
It's our job to monitor how
clean and how much water we have in our rivers
and groundwater and to ensure that we have enough
water for us all and our wildlife. Water resources
must be carefully managed to ensure the security
of water supply and protect the environment.
"The pressures are set
to increase through additional demands from population
growth and new housing, and the impacts of future
climate change which is predicted to reduce water
availability during the summer months. Greater
water efficiency, especially within existing and
future housing stock, is essential for the sustainable
management of water resources.
"To preserve and protect
our environment for the future we need to put
it at the heart of plans for future growth."
The South East and East of England
has one of the finest environments in the UK.
In recent times we have seen dramatic improvements
in the cleanliness of its rivers, its air and
its land. This high-quality environment is one
of the reasons why so many people choose to live
and work here.
However, increased development
is putting pressure on the environment. More homes
mean more people. And of course more people will
mean more rubbish, more demand for water, more
sewage, and more traffic. Our changing climate
will add to these pressures by bringing stormier
weather, hotter, drier summers and rising sea
levels.
If you brush your teeth for
three minutes, twice a day with the tap running,
you are wasting 10,950 litres of water a year.
