Cambridge Water downplays threats to supply as warning drought could last ‘beyond spring 2023’

With water supplies still threatened by shortages in the short, medium and long term, Cambridge Water says it has “reduced the volume of water we take from our sources” – but insists that conditions are not yet at the point where a hosepipe ban is necessary.

Responding to a series of challenges by the Cambridge Green Party, the water company told the Cambridge Independent that its drought plan – agreed with the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – has been drawn up and is being implemented, and insists that ‘voluntary reduced water consumption’ is sufficient to resolve the crisis.

The crisis could last until next spring, the National Drought Group said in a forecast today.

The National Drought Group – which consists of representatives from the government, water companies, the Met Office and groups including National Farmers Union, Canal and River Trust and the RSPB – said: “Average rainfall levels over winter will still not be sufficient to avoid impending drought or drought conditions next year.”

The government-led body stated: “Many water companies have suggested impending drought or drought conditions will remain beyond spring in some areas – notably in parts of the South West, South East, East and Yorkshire and East Midlands – if rainfall is below average.” It added that regions including East Anglia are now in ‘prolonged dry weather status’.

In its press briefing, titled ‘Chalk stream running dry: Serious questions for Cambridge Water’, the city’s Green Party made the case for implementing urgent measures to reduce water usage now.

Green Party Cllr Hannah Copley (Abbey) says: “There are some very clear questions that need to be asked of Cambridge Water. Has the water company been correctly implementing their drought management plan? If so, why are the chalk streams starting to run dry? Why has there been no hosepipe ban/temporary usage ban?

“Given that the Environment Agency predicts that the drought status will continue for some time, what action will Cambridge Water take to avert further damage to the chalk streams? We need the triggers in the drought management plan for the different action levels to be re-assessed.”

Natalie Akroyd, head of water strategy & environment at Cambridge Water, responded: “Our drought plan, which is agreed with the Environment Agency and Defra, sets out the triggers that would necessitate drought actions, including the introduction of a temporary use ban. We have not met those triggers this year. In the meantime, we have been continuing to monitor the situation, and follow our drought plan, by using other methods to encourage voluntary reduced water consumption.”

She continued: “It is normal for groundwater levels to recede in the summer, but this has been more rapid than normal as we have experienced the driest summer since 1959. Groundwater levels are therefore below normal, until they start to replenish during the wetter winter months.

“If river levels drop to a certain point – called the ‘hands-off flow’ – we reduce the volume of water we take from the environment to ensure these levels do not drop any further. We have already reduced the volume of water we take from our sources in line with these requirements.”

Cambridge Water explains on its website that “groundwater levels are below normal for this time of year, but this is not affecting our water resources”. The water company, asked to confirm water resources are not being affected, responded: “It is normal for groundwater levels to recede in the summer, but this has been more rapid than normal as we have experienced the driest summer since 1959. Groundwater levels are therefore below normal, until they start to replenish during the wetter winter months.”

Concern about the current and future status of the region’s water supply has been growing since the Coldham’s Brook chalk stream in Cambridge dried out last month, notes the Green Party.

The briefing said: “The Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership is funding the city’s chalk stream restoration programme and, with such limited water flow, the impact of this investment is at risk. The diminished flow in the chalk streams and the river itself not only damages wildlife directly, but contributes to the growing impact of pollution.

“The local Natural England office has also been very silent on this issue. This compares with their Sussex office which has issued a statement of water neutrality for the Arun Valley near Horsham, as a result of threats from over-abstraction. This means that “for every new development, total water use in the region after the development must be equal to or less than the total water-use in the region before the new development”. Would Natural England consider this for Cambridge?

John Torlesse, area manager for the West Anglia Area Team at Natural England, said: “Effective planning by water companies and local authorities ensures that water is available to all. We recognise that lack of water is a real issue for many rivers and wetlands.

“Therefore we’re continuing to work with all parties to make sure that the environment is protected whilst meeting these potential demands for more water.”

The Green Party concluded with an open invitation for stakeholders to work together, saying: “Local environment groups are willing to work with Cambridge Water to find solutions. Our streams will dry out ever more frequently with climate change and, ultimately, we will be affected too. The rapid growth of Cambridge, as proposed in the forthcoming Local Plan, must be reassessed. We need some action now. Diminished flow in the chalk streams and the river itself not only damages wildlife directly, but contributes to the growing impact of pollution.”

Stephen Tomkins, chair of Cam Valley Forum, said: “This is a very very big issue and it is very good that Hannah Copley is raising it. There are many of us who have been talking about this for years – a crunch is coming. What they’re doing is hoping something will change when it’s not going to. Where is the precautionary principle? Hannah Copley is speaking for many people.”