Warning that Birmingham’s water supply is at risk

Birmingham’s water supplies are at risk because of the effects of climate change, warned a leading UK water body yesterday. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, CIWEM, says […]

Birmingham’s water supplies are at risk because of the effects of climate change, warned a leading UK water body yesterday.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, CIWEM, says that in the past, concern focused on risk to the south east. Now it is pointing to research that show the capital of the Midlands faces “considerable stress” on its water resources.

Birmingham gets all its drinkable water from the Elan Valley reservoirs. A recent study in CIWEM’s Water and Environment Journal showed the number of very dry years is expected to increase by around 7%.

The report’s authors said: “The direct impacts of climate change on domestic water demand are expected to be much less than the effects due to changes in technology and human behaviour and the increasing population of Birmingham.”

CIWEM’s executive director, Nick Reeves added: “There is a need for water companies to take a more innovative approach to managing water, however social behavioural change should be a priority in the mission to stabilise water supplies and harbour a resilient approach for the future.”

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