New homes will not exaggerate water crisis, says local developer

With the South East facing what has been hailed as the worst water shortage of 100 years in some areas, the pressure is on to move toward more sustainable use of this precious resource that many take for granted. With targets set to build in excess of 200,000 new homes in the region over the next 15-20 years to alleviate severe under supply, criticism has begun to arise as to how such development will create ‘spiralling demand’ for water.

However, Twyford-based developer Millgate Homes believes that, with careful management, this need not be the case. Director and General Manager David Simpson explains:

“Water is a resource that we all, to some extent, take for granted – turning on a tap is so easy that it is hard to imagine that there could ever be an issue with supply. However, the present situation has highlighted the fact that we all need to be more careful when it comes to our use of water, and changes needn’t be big to make an impact – if every home had a water butt in the garden, it could significantly decrease hose pipe use without people having to sacrifice verdant gardens.

“Water is not the only shortage the region is facing – there is a lack of housing supply which needs to be addressed urgently – there are plans in place to ensure sufficient water supply for in excess of a million new homes in the region – if, in addition to this we start to change the way we use water on a daily basis future crises can be avoided. To help kick start this change, from now on every new Millgate home with a garden will come with its own water butt.”

Original Article:

New homes fear over water crisis
Plans to build thousands of new homes in the South East will make the water crisis in the region worse, opposition MPs have told the government.

Environment minister Elliot Morley told the House of Commons the two-year drought was the worst since 1975.

In some areas it was the worst water shortage for 100 years, he said.

But his Conservative shadow, Peter Ainsworth, said: "Pressing ahead with building masses of new homes... is only going to make this situation worse."

Critics have warned that the government's property "hotspots" at Milton Keynes, the Cambridge-Stansted corridor, Ashford in Kent and the Thames Gateway will create spiralling demand for water.

Upgrade reservoirs

But Mr Morley said the issue of water supply was taken into account when house building was planned.

Finance was available to water companies to upgrade and connect up to one million additional homes.

He said there were plans to upgrade existing reservoirs and build new ones.

Mr Morley defended the introduction of hosepipe bans across large swathes of southern England.

"I do not think it is a lot to ask that people should face some restrictions," he said.

The minister said people could still use watering cans and recycled water.

Car washes

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, said further "drastic action" was likely to curtail water demand with essential-use only orders about to be imposed in some areas.

"They will result not only in a ban on car washes but a ban on the watering of bowling greens, golf courses, tennis courts and sports grounds such as Lord's, The Oval and Wimbledon and the royal parks, including Kew Gardens.

"This has arisen because this is the second dry winter in a row.

"What are your contingency plans in the event of a third dry winter?"

Mr Morley said it was important to "prudently manage" water supplies, including the use of drought orders if necessary.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/4928352.stm
Published: 2006/04/20 18:12:20 GMT
© BBC MMVI

ENDS

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