Why should we care about water scarcity when we live in the Fens?
Firstly, water scarcity is already an issue because of these two points:
- The quality of water versus pollution
- The quantity of water in times of drought.
Water Scarcity:
There is about the same amount of water on Earth now as in the Mesozoic period. However, as the atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture which is one of the reasons that the pattern of rainfall changes. We are witnessing greater torrential (destructive) events and more frequent drought situations in faraway locations and the UK.
Some ice is effectively ‘evaporating’ without pausing to drain as meltwater, thus impacting the natural water flow of many rivers, and the melting arctic ice creates greater areas of the sea which is a darker colour, and so absorbs more sunlight than white ice would reflect.
If the sea level rises, low-level land will become submerged and invading saltwater will kill vegetation that is not tolerant to it. The surface and groundwater sources will become saline, leading to the following water quality issue.
Over-extraction of water from aquifers in East Anglia has already reduced some chalk streams to damp vegetation with zero water flow – to satisfy the demands of additional housing. Unique trout streams are threatened because the water held in chalk aquifers is the cheapest solution for providing fresh water. Over-extraction is unsustainable.
Water Quality:
Although the water running from a tap is usually high quality, some water authorities are being chased by environmental groups and regulators when they allow contaminated water to be pumped into rivers. This includes sewerage and other untreated water from storms. An even more significant potential threat is from agriculture, including pesticides, fertiliser, and animal waste. Industrial waste products are also allowed to enter the foul water system.
When the starting composition contains too many elements outside of a correctly balanced potable product, it must be treated. If you are unfamiliar with the composition of UK potable water, it is worth looking up. Most chemicals should be zero, and World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the pH of drinking water should typically fall within the range of 6.5 to 8.5.
Anything outside of the regulations needs to be removed. It is involving energy, collection, processing, and distribution by a monopoly that is the water provider that serves your community. Treatment is not a cheap process, and it is becoming more expensive. Already tap water in Norway, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands is about three to five times greater than in the UK (data from Anglian Water and the Holidu water price index)*
It is tricky comparing water suppliers because they vary in ‘typical’ annual consumption and how the charges are levied (some are measured, some are standing charges, and many are calculated on property values that are historic and unpredictable). However, this is an awakening because the cost of potable water will also increase, and the associated charge for treating foul water will increase. There are no measurements of sewerage or surface water. It is all based on a proportion of however you are charged for your fresh water. Unless you have a private waste system (typically a septic tank or cesspit) – these require regular emptying, and some include a simple treatment process. Most domestic properties are on main sewerage, but about three million are not.
What is the main message? Water will become more expensive as scarcity reduces quantity and pollution reduces quality. Therefore over the medium to long term, find ways to reduce potable water consumption because there are no valleys to create a natural reservoir in the Fens.
*https://www.waternewseurope.com/water-prices-compared-in-36-eu-cities/