Rain everywhere but run-off has nowhere to go
An increase in the number of householders paving over front and back gardens is leading to a decrease in the amount of rainwater that can filter through the ground and replenish underground reservoirs.
This has implications for the UK water supply that draws water from underground sources.
Water UK Chief Executive Pamela Taylor said: “When water can’t soak through the earth via permeable surfaces such as lawns, it needs to find another place to go. Run-off water causes increased pressure on our sewerage system and contributes to flooding.
“Surface water run-off also picks up pollution found on streets and in gutters that is then is transferred directly into our waterways via surface water sewers.”
A manifesto for gardens, people and nature, prepared by organisations belonging to the Forum for Gardening with Wildlife in Mind, including Natural England, The Environment Agency and RSPB draws attention to the vast area of gardens that have been paved over.
According to the manifesto, in London alone, 32 square kilometres (22 times the size of Hyde Park) has been lost through gardens being paved over. In the north-east of England nearly half of all homes have paved over most of their gardens. New houses are built on former domestic gardens, and more people now have paved patios in their gardens than those who have trees.
Water UK supports the manifesto’s aim to "let our gardens live!".
