Agenda item

The following item of Opposition Business has been proposed by Cllr N Dixon, seconded by Cllr T FitzPatrick:

Relief of Local Water Cycle Stress – A Vital Part of the Hydrologic Cycle.

Water is the arguably most precious natural resource vital to all life on Earth. In simple terms Water Cycle Stress is the condition of having too much or too little fresh water so that the functioning and quality of life and the environment is put at risk, or seriously harmed in some way, as conditions become more extreme with climate change. Aside from the science driving the local Water Cycle, the most obvious indicators are the impacts of the extremes of heavy and prolonged rainfall and surface water flooding (causing foul water escapes with environmental pollution); and, prolonged periods of drought and freshwater shortages causing risk and harm to life, food production and ecosystems of the environment.

This must be a key part of the climate change agenda which this Council has embraced and promoted over recent years; yet, in common with most public bodies little is done to raise public awareness and remediate the causes of local Water Cycle stress. We must take every opportunity, within our scope of influence, to mitigate and reverse the stress rising trends. Fresh (rain) water is the most precious free natural resource we have yet we seem to value it much less than most other resources. NNDC can be a local leader and key influencer in addressing the challenges through development policies for the built and natural environments and by working with public and private sector partners and home/landowners to plan and deliver changes in practices and standards. Key partners include: the Environment Agency, NCC (LLSFA and Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance), the Internal Drainage Boards, Anglian Water and the NFU.

This is mainly about capturing and storing water during times of prolonged/heavy rainfall or times of high river levels and flood risk conditions, to be released and used during drier times. Examples of practices and solutions are:

1. Promoting the reinstatement of field boundary ditches to stop or attenuate run field off and encourage greater infiltration to below ground storage.
2. Promoting building of reservoirs for crop growing needs particularly by expediting approvals.
3. Promoting reduced domestic potable water consumption and rainwater capture for both grey water and or garden needs by specifications in Planning policies - through water efficient systems and installation of holding tanks.
4. Promoting surface water infiltration of drives and garden surfaces and drains to prevent run off and help replenish underground supplies in Planning policies and influencing farmland management and drainage practices.
5. Encouraging property owners with surface water connections to foul water systems to redirect this water to storage tanks, soak aways or nearby water courses, as appropriate, to reduce loads on foul water drains and Water Recycling Centres; and, reduce the risk of storm water release to rivers and coastal waters, reducing water pollution. 

Local Water Cycle Stress relief must be a key part of Planning policies, and working with local partner agencies, private sector influential bodies and property owners.

This motion calls on Council to agree and take the following actions:

1. Ensure appropriate water cycle stress reduction measures are embraced in relevant Planning policies; the current review of the Local Plan creates opportunities for incorporation and by later amendments.
2. To ensure effective liaison, facilitation and collective working with appropriate public and private sector partners and property owners to reduce water cycle stress.
3. To promote and support public awareness and remediation schemes available to reduce water cycle stress and environmental pollution risks.