The Sustainability of Water Supply in United Kingdom - Coursework Example

The Sustainability of Water Supply in United Kingdom Section March 2007 The Sustainability of WaterSupply in United Kingdom Executive Summary The growing concern for a more sustainable source of water supply has become more urgent as each day goes by. With such basic argument, the principles and practices of sustainable development must be carefully adhered upon, notwithstanding the questions raised on the issue, in order to alleviate, if not fully eliminate, the damages society has caused to nature. Based from the results gathered by the OFWAT, the increasing costs of water bills over time has been equivalent to the necessary measures in ensuring that water is safeguarded, not only in the household and industrial areas, but as well as in bodies of water. It only reflects to the fact that legal and policy aspects have been properly put in place. Given the impressive track record of the United Kingdom, it would be a challenge for current leadership to reduce water maintenance costs at the most minimum, and the most efficient, possible cost. If they would able to achieve such feat, there is no doubt that Third World countries would also be able to solve the growing water pollution and unavailability in their countries. Introduction As society becomes more technologically advanced, particular focus has been given on financial gains – at the very expense of the environment to which society lives in. Just like any natural resource, water plays a crucial role providing society with its economic, environmental and social needs. The demand for water is insatiable, making it an essential element in the development of society as a whole despite the fact that much of the expense goes back to Mother Nature. Indeed, there is an urgent need for each and every developed, developing, and underdeveloped nation to take a stand on the issue at hand. The growing concern for a more sustainable source of water supply has become more urgent as each day goes by. With such basic argument, the principles and practices of sustainable development must be carefully adhered upon, notwithstanding the questions raised on the issue, in order to alleviate, if not fully eliminate, the damages society has caused to nature. Objectives As the need to further improve the condition of water supply continues, this paper attempted to discuss the issues, concerns, and amenable solutions towards the sustainability of water supply in the United Kingdom. Specifically, this paper aimed to: (1) Define the concept of sustainable development in relation to water demand; (2) Discuss the issues and concerns on water; and (3) Provide probable solutions to the issues raised on water sustainability. Sustainable Development Sustainable development is defined as a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987). Incorporating the concept to water, the definition simply implies that utilisation of water must not only be deemed beneficial for the present generation but it must also continuously replenish so that society’s future grandchildren may be able to treasure the quality of water supply that man’s great ancestors had once cherished. However, the definition of sustainable water development would only be deemed feasible and applicable if all sectors of society would join forces in order to attain one common goal: water sustainability. Water sustainability must not only encompass the need for ecologically soundness, it must also be able to meet the remaining four (of the five) dimensions (or also called indicators) of sustainable development (Zamora, et. al, 2002): a) Economic viability – water supply should meet the needs of the people, as well as the water supply companies while being able to make profit at the same time. b) Ecological soundness – as previously mentioned, it should also consider if any crucial aspect of the business (water company), from water production, supply, and utilisation, would severely damage the environment. c) Socially just and humane – man and society should respect the fact that there is a need to regulate social responsibility in water utilisation and consumption. d) Culturally appropriate – water utilisation and consumption should be with respect to the location- and context-specific cultures of different societies. e) Grounded on holistic science – man should scientifically and cautiously consider the interrelationships and interaction of all the aforementioned aspects, above anything else. Water Supply in United Kingdom (Results) Despite concerted efforts in implementing water sustainability among various key players in society, the Office of Water Services (OFWAT) reported the following information (2006): Based from the data presented in Table 1, the average household bill in 2006 to 2007 is £294 for water and sewerage. On the other hand, the average water bill is £142 and sewerage bill (average) is £152. Such data is in real terms increase of 39.1% since 1989. Meanwhile, the average daily costs of households in water and sewerage services costs at about 81 pence per day within 2006 to 2007. In terms of unit costing, a litre of tap water costs at about 0.10 pence while sewage treatment expenditures are about 0.19 pence. Overall, there has been an increase on the average household customers’ bills of about 3.1%, excluding inflation from April 1st of 2006. But if inflation is integrated to the computation, the increase would be at about 5.5%. Table 1. Industry Average Household Bills since 1989 to 2007. Table 2 showed a significant increase in the overall environmental water quality conducted by the OFWAT. From 47% in 1990, the river water chemical quality rose to about 65% in 2004. The same goes for the river water biological quality, from 62% in 1990 to 71% in 2004. Compliance in the coastal bathing water (66% in 1988) and sewage treatment works (90%) significantly increased to almost 100 percent. Meanwhile, the unsatisfactory combined sewer water overflows decreased from 31% to 13% in 2004 while sewer flooding incidents were maintained at near zero percent. Table 2. Environmental Water Improvements implemented by the Office of Water Services from 1990 to 2005. Another essential criteria tested by the OFWAT was the annual drinking water quality. In accordance with the standards set by the OFWAT, the United Kingdom has consistently maintained the integrity of its drinking water from 1995 to 2004. This implies that the organisation has high regard for drinking water safety. Table 3. Annual Drinking Water Quality (percentage tests complying with standards) from 1995 to 2004. Discussions (Findings) In a well-developed country like the United Kingdom (UK), needless to say, it does not have much of a problem on the socio-economic, legal and policy aspects of water availability and sustainability. Based from the results gathered by the OFWAT, the increasing costs of water bills over time has been equivalent to the necessary measures in ensuring that water is safeguarded, not only in the household and industrial areas, but as well as in bodies of water. With such activities, it only reflects to the fact that legal and policy aspects have been properly put in place. Implementing guidelines and methodologies has made the OFWAT a viable institution that the general public could rely on water sustainability issues. Although the aforementioned data was considerably impressive, there is still room for improvement for the OFWAT and other concerned institutions in the line of work. It would be best if such organisations would be able to further minimize the cost of water maintenance in order to meet with the economically viable dimension of sustainable development. Globally-speaking, it would also be best if the UK would be able to help developing and underdeveloped economies to improve their current water concerns. Otherwise, current efforts would be deemed useless as water pollution would inevitably spread across the world. Conclusion Given the impressive track record of the United Kingdom, it would be a challenge for current leadership to reduce water maintenance costs at the most minimum, and the most efficient, possible cost. If they would able to achieve such feat, there is no doubt that Third World countries would also be able to solve the growing water pollution and unavailability in their countries. References Office of Water Services. 2006, Water Regulations: Facts and Figures, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UA. World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, pp. 4, Oxford University Press, New York, 1987. Zamora, O. B. 2002, Sustainable Agriculture. University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines. Read More