Essex County Council acts to tackle water shortages

The county's first water strategy has been launched at Essex County Council's spring climate summit

Plans have been outlined to address concerns that a county does not have enough water to meet demand.

By 2050, Essex may have a water shortage of nearly 150 million litres every day, according to Anglian Water.

Essex County Council launched the Essex Water Strategy on Wednesday in a bid to tackle the issue.

A council spokesperson said: "Essex is seriously water-stressed, with high demand, low rainfall and poor water quality."

The Environment Agency has previously called Essex a "water-stressed" county

Climate change and population growth was expected to worsen the situation in Essex, leading to water shortages, restrictions and impacts on the environment, the spokesperson added.

Thirty possible solutions have been put forward under the strategy.

They include providing a discount on rainwater-catching water butts to homeowners and working on ways to reduce pollution entering watercourses.

Another idea involves developers of new schools, housing communities and public buildings integrating grey water or rainwater harvesting systems.

The strategy also highlighted how water was already being conserved through the natural flood management of Eurasian beavers, introduced at Spains Hall Estate, near Braintree, in 2019.

It has outlined the roles of several water organisations and highlighted the need to reduce demand for water, increase natural green infrastructure and develop new sources of supply, such as reservoirs and through desalination.

Anglian Water estimates almost half (46%) the county's water deficit might have to be sourced from the sea.

The Conservatives' Peter Schwier, the council's climate czar and cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said: "Water is essential for our people, economy, and environment, but it is a resource at risk if we do not make changes."This strategy sets out a clear vision and roadmap for how we can protect and enhance our precious water resources, so that we can continue to enjoy the vital benefits that flow from it well into the future."We urge all our partners and residents to join us in this endeavour and help us make Essex a water-wise county."