As autumn begins, the region is seeing cooler temperatures and the return of rain after one of the hottest and driest summers on record.
Ahead of World Rivers Day (Sunday 27 September), Bristol Water’s Chief Sustainability and Natural Resources Officer, Carolyn Cadman, explains why it takes time for rivers, groundwater and the wider environment to recover from the impacts of prolonged dry weather.
Bristol Water takes more than half of its water from rivers during dry weather, including water from the River Severn via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The River Severn came under particular pressure during this summer’s drought, which resulted in the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales proposing a drought order to protect flows and water resources.
“We take our responsibility for preserving the environment very seriously, and I know that our customers do too,” Carolyn said. “We depend on our reservoirs, rivers and canals to supply water to our customers, and these same water bodies also support valuable wildlife, habitats and ecosystems. Some areas are even designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as they are home to protected plants and wildlife.
“During dry periods, we reduce the use of our reservoirs and rely more heavily on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, whose flows are largely supplied by the River Severn.
“However, the lack of rain this summer meant the River Severn was at extremely low levels.”
As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather, building resilience and adapting to changing conditions is essential.
Carolyn explains: “A key part of that resilience is allowing rivers to recover from prolonged dry periods, helping to secure sustainable water supplies while protecting the environment that depends on them.
“By protecting our rivers we help to improve water quality, support wildlife and retain more water in the landscape during dry periods.
“That was the aim last month when the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales applied for a drought order on the River Severn to protect this essential water source after the summer’s drought conditions and the significant impact it had on the river.
“Rather than allowing river levels to fall rapidly and place additional stress on wildlife and habitats, the drought order is designed to help maintain flows for longer, supporting both the river ecosystem and future water resources.
“In periods of dry weather, we work hard to manage resources to meet customer demand while minimising the impact on the natural environment. Maintaining that balance can be challenging, but protecting both customer supplies and the natural environment remains a central priority for us.”
In addition to recharging rivers, Bristol Water’s plans to adapt and become more resilient involve developing strategies to mitigate climate change risk in all parts of its operations. This includes:
Carolyn concludes: “Although rainfall is becoming more frequent, drought conditions remain in place and water resources still need time to recover. For us, it’s important to achieve a full recovery on our resources over a longer period during typically wetter months to put us in as strong a position as possible heading into the follow year. The current hosepipe ban remains an important measure to help restore rivers, reservoirs and the wider environment.
“As we face a future of climate uncertainty, we ask that customers help us protect supplies by continuing to save water when they can to support the restoration of our water resources. By working together to use water wisely, we can help protect precious water resources and build greater resilience to the impacts of climate change.”