The water resource position of Welsh Water’s area of supply is relatively strong. We abstract for public supply around 3% of annual effective rainfall in our region, compared to around 50% in the south and east of England.
Around 95% of our water resources originate as surface water either from reservoir storage or river abstractions. We have very little dependence on groundwater supplies. This reliance on surface waters can increase vulnerability to short periods of low rainfall as rivers levels change more quickly than groundwaters.
All Welsh Water’s abstractions are licensed by the Environment Agency which is responsible for ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in England and Wales. These licences set the maximum volume and rate at which water can be abstracted each day throughout the year. Rivers in Wales have high ecological status and licences are set to ensure that this is maintained. Releases from Welsh Water’s reservoirs during dry spells help to maintain river flows.
To ensure that water is available to our customers when it is needed and in the quantity required, Welsh Water prepares and maintains a Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which forecasts over a 25 year period the supply and demand balance across our water supply area. We have published a Draft WRMP that was subject to full public consultation and are now awaiting Welsh Assembly Government permission to publish an updated version.
Another part of Welsh Water’s strategy describes how we manage water during times of extreme weather conditions. Welsh Water produced its Draft Drought Plan in 2006 which outlines our communication and operational strategy that will be put in place under drought conditions. Welsh Water is currently awaiting direction from the Welsh Government prior to publishing the Final Drought Plan.