Comments invited on Groundwater Protection Policy
Posted: Thursday 5th April 2007
The Environment Agency has unveiled proposals to encourage the sustainable operation of ground source heat pumps, which will help prevent the pollution of groundwater.
The use of ground source heat pump systems is one of many issues covered in Part 4 of the Groundwater Protection: Policy and Practice (GP3), the Environment Agency's approach to protecting and managing groundwater in England and Wales, which was released for consultation last week.
Farmers, developers, planners and others with an interest in groundwater are invited to comment on a wide range of new and updated policies, such as protecting drinking water supplies, the emergency burial of diseased animal carcasses, groundwater flooding, land contamination and cemetery developments.
Tony Marsland, the Environment Agency's Policy Manager for Groundwater Quality, said groundwater resources underlie 85% of England and Wales, provided more than 30% of the public water supply and supported many rivers and ecosystems.
He said protection and careful management was essential to preserve this strategic resource.
"We all use groundwater and we all can affect it, directly or indirectly. Our intensive use of land poses many risks - for example, from chemicals used in industry and agriculture, from too much groundwater being abstracted and many other day to day activities.
"It is a sobering thought that more than 50% of groundwater-fed public water supplies now need treatment before they can be safely used. We must reverse the declining trend, which was also noted in our State of Groundwater in England and Wales report released last year. This goal is also supported by new EU legislation.
"Our policies aim to raise awareness and encourage all those who may affect groundwater to take responsibility for their actions and help to prevent damage to our vital groundwater resources. Once damaged, it is difficult and costly to clean up groundwater. Natural recovery can take decades or even centuries - so protection is the best strategy."
He said the proposals looked at new technologies such as ground source heat pumps, where the unsustainable operation could lead to the unacceptable heating and cooling of groundwater, possibly causing pollution from chemical leaks or changes in flow or quality.
Groundwater Protection: Policy and Practice (GP3) is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk. GP3 Parts 1-3 were subject to public consultation and were finalised in 2006. The consultation on Part 4 closes on 30 June 2007.
The completed GP3 replaces the Policy and Practice from the Protection of Groundwater, which was last updated in 1998.
