Water Supply and Sanitation in England and Wales - Water Resources and Uses

Water Resources and Uses

On average, only about 10 per cent of freshwater resources in England and Wales are abstracted. Water companies abstract almost half of this amount. The remainder is used for cooling power plants, other industries, fish farming and other uses. Water companies use mainly surface water (two thirds), but also groundwater (one third).

The amount of water available in England and Wales to meet the needs of people and to sustain the water environment varies greatly between different places and seasons, and from one year to another. Parts of Wales and the English Lake District are well endowed with water, while water is scarce in parts of Eastern and Southeastern England. Parts of England were affected by severe drought in 1976, 1995 and 2005-2007.

Household water use in England and Wales stood at about 145 litres/capita/day in 2008/09. Total water supply for domestic and commercial customers in England and Wales was 14.5 billion cubic metres per day in 2009.

Read more about this topic:  Water Supply And Sanitation In England And Wales

Famous quotes containing the words water and/or resources:

    Dying smokers sense
    Walking towards them through some dappled park
    As if on water that unfocused she
    No match lit up, nor drag ever brought near....
    Philip Larkin (1922–1986)

    I am willing to pledge myself that if the time should ever come that the voluntary agencies of the country together with the local and state governments are unable to find resources with which to prevent hunger and suffering ... I will ask the aid of every resource of the Federal Government.... I have the faith in the American people that such a day will not come.
    Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)