Rainwater Harvesting in the UK - A solution to increasing water shortages?
The Abstract for the paper submitted to this conference begins...
The UK is a rich western country with a population of 60 million. Average water use is 150 litres per person per day (55m3 per person per year). In England and Wales water is privatised. In Scotland and Northern Ireland water is still provided by the state. In 2005, less than 22% of properties are metered though 98% are on a mains water supply. Households not on a meter pay a fixed rate regardless of water used.
Although the perception (not least by its inhabitants) is that the UK is a wet country with plenty of rainfall, the reality is that the UK only has 2440m3 of available water per head of population and is classified as a country with insufficient water. Rainfall varies from 550-3000mm a year with the bulk of the population living in areas where rainfall is just 600-800mm a year.
It is recognised that large areas of the UK are under water stress and that water use must be reduced. Summers in the southeast of the UK will become drier due to the effects of global warming and there will be an increasing number of dwellings that must be supplied with water. As 55% of treated water is used in households the UK Government, under their Sustainable Building Strategy, suggests that a 25% reduction in potable water use in new buildings is required. This 25% reduction can be partly met by efficient appliances, but the remainder will need to be met by other means. Rainwater harvesting is seen as the most likely option.
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