uk irrigation association - groundwater · 2017-07-18 · vwhy is irrigation critical to uk...
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UK Irrigation AssociationUK Irrigation AssociationAn independent organisation promoting the wise use of An independent organisation promoting the wise use of
water for irrigation water for irrigation
James Dodds – Exec’ MemberEnvireau Water
vv Why is irrigation critical to UK agriculture?Why is irrigation critical to UK agriculture?vv What are the consequences of irrigation What are the consequences of irrigation
restrictions? restrictions? vv How much water does irrigation take?How much water does irrigation take?vv The role of groundwater in sustainable irrigation The role of groundwater in sustainable irrigation
management?management?vv Management strategies?Management strategies?
So much to say … so little time …So much to say … so little time …
These are my views and not necessarily those of the These are my views and not necessarily those of the UKIA or my employer!UKIA or my employer!
Why irrigate …Why irrigate …
YieldYield QualityQuality ConsumerConsumer
qq 90% of agricultural output is irrigated fruit and veg90% of agricultural output is irrigated fruit and vegqq If irrigation stopped If irrigation stopped –– grow cereals?grow cereals?qq Fall in annual production value Fall in annual production value £51m £51m to to £11m£11mqq Fall in local employment contribution Fall in local employment contribution £13m £13m to to £1.7m£1.7m
What if irrigation stops?What if irrigation stops?
In Suffolk
vv Spray irrigation is licensedSpray irrigation is licensedvv Trickle irrigation is exempt (for now)Trickle irrigation is exempt (for now)vv Water companies have a mechanism to apply to Water companies have a mechanism to apply to
abstract in droughtsabstract in droughtsvv Spray irrigators are the only sector that can be Spray irrigators are the only sector that can be
stopped (Sec 57)stopped (Sec 57)
Regulation …Regulation …
The issue …The issue …
Environment Agency Report Environment Agency Report –– GEHO1111BVEPGEHO1111BVEP--EE--E The Case for Change E The Case for Change –– Current and Future Water Current and Future Water AvailabilityAvailability
How much water …How much water …
Environment Agency : http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/inlandEnvironment Agency : http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/inland--water/water/
Really …Really …
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Spay Irrigation
non-tidal surface waters
groundwaters
all surface and groundwaters
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Other Agriculture
non-tidal surface waters
groundwaters
all surface and groundwaters
Environment Agency : http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/inlandEnvironment Agency : http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/inland--water/water/
What about locally …What about locally …
78%
2%
1%
0%
12%
5%1% 1%
England & Wales : 2003Public water supply
Spray irrigation
Agriculture (excl. spray irrigation)
Electricity supply industry
Other industry
78%
7%2%
0%
13%
0%
0%
0%
Anglian : 2003Public water supply
Spray irrigation
Agriculture (excl. spray irrigation)
Electricity supply industry
Other industry
Groundwater / Surface Water …Groundwater / Surface Water …
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
01/01/1978 01/01/1982 01/01/1986 01/01/1990 01/01/1994 01/01/1998 01/01/2002 01/01/2006 01/01/2010
Gro
undw
ater
Lev
el (m
OD
)
Dai
ly M
ean
Flow
(m3/
s)
Ely Ouse & Cut Off Channeland Lark at Temple
Ely Ouse & CO Ch DMF Ely Ouse & CO Ch est baseflow Lark @ Temple DMF
Lark @ Temple est baseflow EA Wangford OBH EA Lingheath OBH
Groundwater / Surface Water …Groundwater / Surface Water …
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
01/01/1999 31/12/2000 01/01/2003 31/12/2004
Gro
undw
ater
Lev
el (m
OD
)
Dai
ly M
ean
Flow
(m3/
s)
Lark at TempleLark @ Temple DMF Lark @ Temple est baseflow EA Wangford OBH EA Lingheath OBH
Agriculture Defra/Environment Agency Promote efficient irrigation including effective equipment use, science based soil and water management, and best irrigation practice (see www.ukia.org resources for UKIA advice)
EA: Extend the additional flexibility to water abstractions through the summer and autumn to ensure early refill of irrigation reservoirs when flow conditions permit
Consult on ‘flexibility’ arrangements with intention of retaining those aspects that offer long term application benefits to water licensing regime (for inclusion in Water Bill 2013)
Defra: Consult on ‘flexibility’ arrangements with intention of retaining those aspects that offer long term application to water licensing regime (for inclusion in Water Bill 2013) -move from the concept of “winter flow abstraction licences” to “high-flow abstraction licences”
Utilise the additional flexibility offered by EA abstraction regime to extend period of winter water abstraction and to take advantage of ‘high flows’ to fill reservoirs when they are available
If Section 57 restrictions are needed, explain how these will be introduced and managed to minimize impact on agriculture
Livestock farms with reliant on private sources to notify water companies early to arrange alternative supplies and contingency plans have been made.
Short Term Actions …Short Term Actions …
Use existing supplies wisely
Build reservoirs
Form abstractor groups
Strategy options…Strategy options…
Hands-Off Flow (HoF)= 503,700,000m3/a
1% reduction in HoF represents £7,000,000
for Agriculture
1% reduction in HoF represents £42,000,000 for Industry
Strategy options…Strategy options…
GWF 2009 : Independent Private Groundwater Supplies are Important Too!GWF 2009 : Independent Private Groundwater Supplies are Important Too!
Transparent decision making
Repeal Sec 57
Wise use of HoF & HoL
Strategy options…Strategy options…
Strategy options…Strategy options…
Wait 3 weeks !Wait 3 weeks !
Thanks to …Thanks to …
vv Dr Melvyn KayDr Melvyn KayExec’ Sec’ UK Irrigation AssociationExec’ Sec’ UK Irrigation Association
vv Dr Diane MitchellDr Diane MitchellChief Environment Adviser, National Farmers UnionChief Environment Adviser, National Farmers Union
vv Dr Keith WeatherheadDr Keith WeatherheadCranfieldCranfield Water Science InstituteWater Science Institute
