How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water Cycle Study Guidance
The purpose of this document is to assist Local Authorities in commissioning water
cycle studies (WCS). It also provides useful information for water companies,
developers and other partners involved in water cycle studies to help them
understand why and when they should be part of a water cycle study.
It provides guidance on the purpose, scope and process for undertaking such
studies.
Water cycle studies always need to be adapted to local considerations, therefore this
guidance is not prescriptive. The approach this guidance sets out, however, forms
current best practice.
CONTENTS
WHAT IS WATER CYCLE
PLANNING?
This section provides the policy basis for water cycle studies, and advises
why a water cycle study is needed, and how it will help stakeholders.
HOW DO I CARRY OUT A
WCS?
This section identifies when a water cycle study is needed, who needs to
be involved, and what needs to be done
SUPPORTING TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
This section provides detailed technical information on the different
elements of a water cycle study
CASE STUDIES & TOOLS
This section provides information from real life case studies, and some
example outputs from previous studies
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
DATA SOURCES
This section identifies what sources of information are available and should
be considered to inform the water cycle study
GLOSSARY
We would welcome your comments on this guidance. Please email your comments to:
[email protected]
Click here for help in using this document
The Environment Agency would like to thank
guidance.
Product Code GEO0109BPFF-E-E
for their assistance in developing and producing this
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
How to use this document
You can navigate around the document by using the links provided on each page. These links are
underlined.
Some images contain links. You can reach these links by clicking on the image.
The main sections of the guidance are shown below. To move between sections the links on the
left hand of every page can be used.
At the top of each page are links to navigate to the key stages in the water cycle process. Also, each
page contains links to relevant frequently asked questions and to more detailed guidance.
Use the contents table below, or the links at the top of the page to start.
CONTENTS
WHAT IS WATER CYCLE
PLANNING?
This section provides the policy basis for water cycle studies, and advises
why a water cycle study is needed, and how it will help stakeholders.
HOW DO I CARRY OUT A
WCS?
This section identifies when a water cycle study is needed, who needs to
be involved, and what needs to be done
SUPPORTING TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
This section provides detailed technical information on the different
elements of a water cycle study
CASE STUDIES & TOOLS
This section provides information from real life case studies, and some
example outputs from previous studies
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
DATA SOURCES
This section identifies what sources of information are available and should
be considered to inform the water cycle study
GLOSSARY
We would welcome your comments on this guidance. Please email your comments to:
[email protected]
2
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Introduction
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
Scoping study
FAQ
The issue
Building new homes is not simply a matter of constructing the buildings themselves. To
operate effectively as a home, and as part of a wider community, each building is also
dependant on a range of services, and the infrastructure necessary to provide these. A critical
component of this infrastructure is associated with water; the provision of clean water for
drinking and washing; the safe disposal of waste water; and protection from flooding.
The addition of a small number of new homes may not represent a significant additional
burden on existing water infrastructure. However when large numbers of houses are built,
there is a risk that existing infrastructure will be overwhelmed, and both the environment and
people's quality of life, will suffer.
The Government has a long term target that 3 million new homes will be built by 20201. This
will require the fastest rate of building since the late 1960s. Providing the required water
infrastructure for this degree of housing growth will require careful planning.
Planning for water
There is a finite capacity within the environment, and it cannot simply provide more and more
water. Equally, there is a limit to the amount of waste water that can be safely returned to our
rivers and the sea without having a detrimental impact on the environment. Furthermore, we
know that extreme rainfall can overwhelm drains and overtop flood defences. Climate change
is bringing fresh challenges as patterns of rainfall are predicted to change, with more intense
rainfall events. We must also make sure that water infrastructure contributes to the shift to a
low carbon economy that is essential if greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced. Planning
for water has to take into account these natural constraints, and factors such as the timing and
location imposed by the development itself.
OTHER SECTIONS
The optimum solution for a given locality may be to adjust the location, timing or nature of new
development. For example, it may be more cost effective to improve the water efficiency of
new and existing houses rather than build a new water supply reservoir, or to build houses
outside of the floodplain rather than build costly flood protection.
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
A water cycle study will identify tensions between growth proposals and environmental
requirements, and identify potential solutions to addressing them. Effective planning and close
cooperation between all parties involved is essential to the success of a water cycle study.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
One of the most important benefits of a WCS is that it allows all the key organisations to work
together in the planning process and builds confidence between parties.
A water cycle study (WCS) will help to plan for water more sustainably by:
•
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
•
•
•
6. DATA SOURCES
•
7. GLOSSARY
bringing together all partners and stakeholders existing knowledge, understanding and
skills;
bringing together all water and planning evidence under a single framework;
understanding the environmental and physical constraints to development;
working alongside green infrastructure planning to identify opportunities for more
sustainable planning, and;
identifying water cycle planning policies and a water cycle strategy to help all partners
plan for a sustainable future water environment.
Click here for more information on planning policy and green infrastructure planning
Further information
1
Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable—Housing Green Paper
3
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle planning policy
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
Scoping study
FAQ
Standards and legislation to protect water and the environment are changing in a way that requires
a partnership approach to deliver infrastructure through strategic ways of working. In particular,
Planning Policy Statements 1, 3, 12, 23 and 25 all emphasise the importance of environmental
sustainability and delivering water infrastructure to achieve it.
In the UK*, we can experience both periods of drought and extensive flooding. This, coupled with
forecast population growth and the potential impact of climate change, has led to an increased
emphasis on integrated water management in regional spatial strategies and emerging guidance
from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of
Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Future Water
Future Water (published February 2008) sets out the Government’s vision for water in England in
2030. The strategy sets out an integrated approach to the sustainable management of all aspects of
the water cycle, from rainfall and drainage, through to treatment and discharge. The strategy
focuses on practical ways to achieve the vision to ensure sustainable use of water from the
perspective of people, businesses and the environment. Specific aspects of the water sector
considered in Future Water are:
•
Water demand;
•
Water supply;
•
Water quality, and
•
Flooding (river, coastal, surface water and groundwater flooding).
The strategy also sets out the vision to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and discusses the regulatory
framework for the water industry.
OTHER SECTIONS
It looks at the adaptability of our water environment to climate change and other pressures on the
water cycle. The aim is to ensure sustainable delivery of water supplies, and help improve the
water environment for future generations.
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
Making space for water
Making Space for Water (MSfW), launched in 2004, outlines the Government strategy for the next
20 years to implement a more holistic approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risks in
England.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
The policy aims to reduce the threat of flooding to people and property, and to deliver the greatest
environmental, social and economic benefit. MSfW considers all sources of flooding in determining
flood risk, and ensures that climate change becomes a fundamental part of flood and coastal
erosion management decisions. The holistic approach considered by MSfW includes:
•
•
•
•
•
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Better management of risk;
Land use planning through the planning system (including PPS25);
Environmental issues such as creation of wetland, and managed realignment;
Integrated Urban Drainage (IUD) management, and;
Coastal issues.
River Basin Management Plans
In England, River Basin Management Plans will identify what needs to be done by the Environment
Agency and others to implement a Programme of Measures to achieve ‘good status’ (ecological,
chemical and physical) in designated water bodies. The first Plan is in preparation for completion by
2015. Click here for more information on river basin management plans.
Further information
Planning portal—a useful guide to the planning system, planning reform, and the local development framework process
Future Water
This guidance document, and the policies it describes relates specifically to England. Whilst the document is not directly applicable to Wales because
*
of the different planning framework, the principles underlying a water cycle study are relevant to Wales
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle planning policy
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
Planning policy statements and planning policy guidance
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
Planning policy in the UK is set by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) formerly called Planning
Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs). They explain statutory guidelines and advise local authorities and
others on planning policy and operation of the planning system.
PPSs also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an
important bearing on issues of development and land use. Planners must take these into account
in preparing development plans. The guidance may also be relevant to decisions on individual
planning applications and appeals.
A water cycle study will help balance the requirements of the various planning policy documents,
and ensure that land-use planning and water cycle infrastructure provision is sustainable. The
most relevant PPSs to water cycle studies are:
PPS1
–
Delivering sustainable development
Planning and Climate Change: Supplement to PPS1
PPS3
–
Housing
PPS9
–
Biodiversity and Geological Conservation
PPS12
–
Local Spatial Planning
PPS23
–
Planning and pollution control
PPS25
–
Development and flood risk
There is also a draft PPS on ecotowns, which at the time of writing is undergoing consultation.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable
home building practice. On the 27 February 2008 the Government confirmed a mandatory
rating against the Code will be implemented from 1 May 2008.
The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable
design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating
system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets
minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the
EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
Click here for more information on the Code for Sustainable Homes.
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Planning portal—a useful guide to the planning system, planning reform, and the local development framework process
Future Water
Code for Sustainable homes
5
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
The need for sustainable development
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Sustainable development is central to the updated planning system. The aim of a Sustainability
Appraisal (SA) – compulsory under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 - is to promote
sustainable development. This is achieved by looking at social, environmental and economic factors
when creating or revising Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), Development Plan Documents (DPD),
and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD).
When building housing and other development, it is important to ensure that the development is
sustainable. If development proceeds at the scale planned in some regions without due
consideration given to water infrastructure requirements this could result in infrastructure which
cannot meet the increase in demands, and an environment which may become less sustainable.
To prevent such problems factors such as surface water drainage and flood risk, water resource,
water supply, sewerage infrastructure, wastewater treatment and water quality need to be
considered in a holistic, integrated way. The energy requirement and carbon footprint of new
development should also be considered.
In order for new homes to be sustainable planners and regulators need to make four things
happen:
•
GETTING THE LOCATION RIGHT: The need to avoid building homes in places that we will
regret. Of particular concern is the location of housing in areas of flood risk or coastal erosion,
or where water quality and water resources are already at, or approaching, environmental
limits.
•
LONG TERM PLANNING FRAMEWORKS: To ensure a long term planning framework exists
for all types of environmental infrastructure.
•
DEMAND MANAGEMENT: To promote more ways of managing and reducing the demand for
new environmental infrastructure.
•
FUNDING DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND INCENTIVES: Clear funding streams, with costs
allocated to polluters, developers, consumers and the taxpayer on clear and evidence-based
principles.
Integration with other
plans and policies
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
Achieving these four actions requires strong planning decisions and strong planning policies; a water
cycle study provides the evidence base to make appropriate planning decisions and set policies.
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Click here for more information on how to determine the most sustainable options
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
Click here for examples of sustainable development
It is recommended that a water cycle study includes a sustainability assessment of water cycle
options. This will provide an evidence base for all partners that their proposals are sustainable.
How do you determine the most sustainable options?
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Environment Agency policy brief: Environmental Infrastructure
6
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
What is a water cycle study (WCS)?
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
A water cycle study is:
What is a water cycle
study?
•
a method for determining what sustainable water infrastructure is required and where
and when it is needed;
Water cycle
planning policy
•
a risk based approach ensuring that town and country planning makes best use of
environmental capacity and opportunities, and adapts to environmental constraints;
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
•
a way for all stakeholders to have their say, preventing any unexpected obstacles to
growth;
How do we make
development
sustainable?
•
the process that brings all the available knowledge and information together to help
make better, more integrated, risk based planning decisions, and
What is the water
cycle?
•
a way of ensuring compliance with BERR’s "Regulators’ Compliance Code" to ensure
that risk assessment precedes and informs all aspects of their approaches to regulatory
activity.
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
Much of the data and information required for a water cycle study will already exist within the
organisations who have responsibility for operating, regulating and managing the water
environment (e.g. SFRAs).
The Environment Agency, water companies and other
organisations have spent millions of pounds over the recent decades gathering data, analysing
and modelling the water environment. One of the key benefits of a partnership approach is
unlocking this information and knowledge and making it available.
OTHER SECTIONS
Water cycle study objectives
An effective water cycle study and strategy will achieve the following objectives:
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
1.
2.
3.
4.
urban development only occurs within environmental constraints;
urban development occurs in the most sustainable location taking;
water cycle infrastructure is in place before development, and;
opportunities for more sustainable infrastructure options have been realised.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
BERR “Regulators Compliance Code”
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND)
7
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Why is a water cycle study needed?
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
The planning and water cycle management processes work side by side. Both processes
require information and data from the other, so they work best when they happen at the same
time and when organisations work together.
The effect of development on the water environment forms a key part of the Sustainability
Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), required under the Core
Strategy process. As part of the Core Strategy a WCS will give planning authorities a robust
evidence base to assess this. It identifies and assesses risk, investigates all the options and
issues, and helps decide which option/s will best support the Core Strategy and related
policies.
The WCS provides the evidence base for setting out allocations, phasing of development,
developer contributions and further guidance. Since all the organisations work in partnership
to carry out the WCS, each partner is more likely to be committed to delivering the resulting
Water Cycle Strategy.
By involving key organisations in the growth process at an early stage, a water cycle study
will:
•
•
•
•
•
•
OTHER SECTIONS
show early on if the predicted environmental capacity can accommodate
development, taking into account climate change and sustainable standards;
provide supporting evidence for the development of the Core Strategy;
identify immediate funding and longer-term maintenance costs, and enable these to
be factored into the planning process at an early stage;
build relationships between key organisations;
produce a robust, evidence-based water cycle strategy, and;
support the SEA in providing an evidence base.
A water cycle study benefits all of the partners involved. The main benefits for the principal
organisations involved are listed here
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
The integrated water cycle &
achieving multiple benefits
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Water cycle infrastructure options can have benefits for many different aspects of the water
cycle. For example, a well designed sustainable drainage system could have wider benefits
for flood risk management, water quality protection, biodiversity, health and recreation, and
water resource management. However, it is often difficult to achieve the multiple benefits
under the traditional planning approach, because of complex stakeholder responsibilities and
priorities.
A water cycle study will promote options that have multiple uses and provide multiple benefits
through engagement of all the water cycle stakeholders.
Click here for more information and examples of sustainable masterplanning
Further information
Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessments
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND)
8
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
The water cycle
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Water cycle processes
The water cycle includes the processes and systems that collect, store, or transport water in the
environment. Water cycle processes are both above and below ground level, and can be either
natural or man-made. In an undeveloped area, the water cycle includes rainfall landing on the
ground, where it is either transferred into above ground streams, rivers, wetlands, floodplains,
and estuaries to the sea, or is absorbed into the soil, ending up in groundwater storage aquifers.
The cycle is completed by evaporation from these systems back into the atmosphere.
In a developed area, the natural processes and systems are sometimes adapted for
development or public health reasons. For example, water is taken from rivers, treated, and
piped via water supply systems into urban areas. Wastewater produced by houses is collected
in a below ground sewerage system, where it is transported to a wastewater treatment works
before being discharged to the sea, rivers or to groundwater.
The natural processes are extremely important for wildlife and ecology, and even man made
systems can have biodiversity and wildlife interest. It is important than when building new
homes, or even redeveloping existing areas we understand the impact on the natural
environment.
Integration with other
plans and policies
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Green infrastructure planning
A strategy to manage important wildlife and recreation land is a major component of any
sustainable development. We refer to these areas as green infrastructure, which comprise a
wide range of linked existing and new green spaces and similar environmental assets, both
public and private. Along with key roles in protecting biodiversity and providing for recreation, a
green infrastructure performs an essential role in the protection and management of natural
resources, including air quality, soils and especially the storage and drainage of water.
Major parts of the natural hydrological system for a given area, notably rivers and their corridors
and floodplains, should be prominent parts of any strategically planned, managed and
protected green infrastructure. This is especially important in an urban context where
undeveloped green spaces and fully functional water courses are needed to absorb the run off
from buildings and roads, prevent flooding and maintain the water table beneath the settlement
at an optimum level.
It is therefore vital that water cycle studies integrate with green infrastructure strategies where
they exist. Where they do not exist, it is important that the WCS is carried with full regard to
existing green infrastructure, and that it identifies opportunities to expand and strengthen the
capacity of a green infrastructure network to underpin water management whilst also delivering
other environmental and social benefits.
Further information
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND) is a collection of guidance and tools that helps stakeholders
sustainably masterplan new developments.
Green infrastructure planning guidance
Examples of green infrastructure planning
9
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Our impact on the water cycle
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
Scoping study
FAQ
The water that we drink is abstracted from rivers and from aquifers and then treated to a very
high standard before entering our water supply systems.
As population and demand for water grows, more water is taken from the environment, and this
can have a significant impact on biodiversity, and on the recreational value of the water
environment. Additionally, more energy is used to treat and transport the water as demand
increases. Once it reaches the household, water is used in many different ways, including
washing, flushing toilets, drinking and cooking before, discharging it into our drains.
Our wastewater drains into the foul or wastewater network, from where it flows to wastewater
treatment works (WwTWs) via sewers and pumping stations, again often using energy. At the
WwTW, the waste is treated to a high standard to remove pollutants and discharged to our rivers
and seas.
The more water that is treated at a WwTW, the greater the potential impact of the treated
wastewater discharged on the receiving watercourses. This in turn requires higher levels of
treatment at the WwTWs to prevent further environmental deterioration, using additional energy
and chemicals. Furthermore, increased flows from WwTW can also increase the risk of river
flooding downstream of the works.
Sustainable water cycle planning policies, water cycle management for new developments and
green infrastructure planning can help ensure that development locations and water
infrastructure not only prevent the deterioration of the water cycle environment, but actively
improve it.
Click here for more information and examples
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Green infrastructure planning
Examples of sustainable water cycle management in practice
10
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
What do we mean by water cycle capacity?
Water cycle and environmental capacity will differ from area to area, and the scoping study will need to identify what the
environmental capacity issues are at an early stage. The diagram below will help you think about the kinds of capacity
issues you should be considering
WATER RESOURCES AND WATER SUPPLY
Environmental
Environmental capacity is the
amount of water that can be
abstracted before
unacceptable environmental
impacts occur
e.g. impact of abstraction on
low flows and ecology, and
water quality
Infrastructure
Infrastructure capacity is the ability of
the water supply system (abstraction,
reservoirs and supply networks) to
provide the water required for homes
and businesses
e.g. water treatment works, pumping
stations, distribution reservoir/tower,
local distribution network
Environmental
Environmental capacity is the required
water quality to protect aquatic and
wildlife environments
e.g. Water quality standards required
to protect wildlife, WwTW consents,
storm discharge consents
FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
Flood risk must be managed through
compliance with PPS25. New
development should be directed away from
areas of highest risk. Where this is not
possible, flood resilience measures may be
required, and flood risk elsewhere must not
be increased. Opportunities should be
sought for multiple benefits such as
restoring floodplain and improving ecology.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure capacity is the ability of the
wastewater system to collect, transport and
treat wastewater from homes and
businesses
e.g. Sewers, sewage pumping stations,
sewer mains, wastewater treatment works
WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT
11
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
When is a water cycle study needed?
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
A water cycle study is required if:
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
•
the development area is a proposed eco-town;
•
it is a condition of growth point status, and;
•
it is a requirement of the regional spatial strategy or Core Strategy.
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
In all other cases, a water cycle study is recommended if any of the following conditions are met:
How do we make
development
sustainable?
•
the scale of growth proposed by regional or local planning is significant when compared to
the existing urban development. As a guide, we consider a 5% increase in new
development during the time horizon of the Core Strategy to be significant;
What is the water
cycle?
•
the Environment Agency or other partners raise doubts about the environmental capacity
of the water cycle to cope with proposed development;
When is a water cycle
study needed?
•
the water company identifies there are constraints over funding, or putting new
infrastructure in place to meet the development framework;
Integration with other
plans and policies
A full water cycle study, including all of the three stages, may not be necessary. The scoping
study will identify if an outline study is needed. An outline study will identify if a detailed study is
needed.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
12
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
How do we make
development
sustainable?
Water cycle study stages
A water cycle study is normally broken down into three stages as shown below. These three
stages are designed to provide the level of detail that the local development framework needs at
the appropriate time.
If a WCS is undertaken early enough in the Core Strategy and site allocation process, its findings
can influence the location of development and make best use of the available environmental and
infrastructure capacity.
Not all of these stages are always needed, and the timing of stages may need to be altered to fit
in with local circumstances. Therefore it is advisable to form the water cycle study group as early
as possible to agree what needs to be delivered at the different stages of the planning process.
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Scoping study
IN THIS SECTION
A Scoping Study should reflect the targets of the RSS, and be carried out at a very early stage in
the development of the Core Strategy.
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
How do I carry out an
outline study?
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
The purpose of a scoping study is to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
set up a water cycle steering group: confirm the relevant partners and their responsibilities;
define the study area;
identify what studies have already been carried out and what data are available;
confirm development scenarios and planning data;
identify the objectives of the WCS and which plans and strategies it will be used to inform and
draw from;
identify if further work is needed to inform strategic planning decisions;
agree a project scope and project plan for further work if needed;
identify sources of funding for future phases of work if needed, and;
assess the flexibility of development plans regarding location and other options.
It is likely that a suitably qualified consultant will need to be appointed to carry out the scoping
study, unless the local authority has the necessary technical resources.
Scoping study output
The end result of a scoping study is a report providing a summary of the available information
relating to the water environment within the study area. Experience has indicated that the best
way to analyse and store much of this information is in a Geographical Information System (GIS).
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
You do not need to carry out detailed modelling or technical analysis during the scoping
study. It is likely that the Environment Agency and the water companies will have carried out
some high level analyses on environmental capacity and major infrastructure capacity. These can
be used to identify the key issues. If there is no strong evidence that there is sufficient
infrastructure capacity for new development, it should be assumed at this stage that there is no
capacity.
One aim of a scoping study is to assess the difficulty of providing new infrastructure; an example
of this would be assessing the difficulty or inconvenience caused by providing new infrastructure
in built up areas.
Sometimes, the high level constraints won’t be evident at this stage. This knowledge gap in itself
is an outcome of the scoping study and shows what needs to be investigated in further studies.
Alternatively, in some cases the scoping study may identify that no further work is needed at that
point in time. This in itself is useful, and would form scoping study output.
An example flow chart showing how to undertake a scoping study is shown here.
Detailed technical information on what each stage of a water cycle study should provide for the
major water cycle elements can be found by following the links to the left.
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
14
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Scoping study process
IN THIS SECTION
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
Scoping study
FAQ
This flow chart is provided as an example. It is important that the outline study process is amended
to reflect local issues. The scope and process for each WCS should be agreed in partnership with
the water cycle steering group.
How do I carry out an
outline study?
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
N
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
15
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
How do I carry out an
outline study?
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Outline study
IN THIS SECTION
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
Outline study
FAQ
Much of the data and analysis required to carry out the outline study will already be available.
This phase should not normally require additional detailed modelling or analysis to support the
assessment. Its focus should be on gathering and assessing the data available, identifying the
environmental and major infrastructure constraints, and deciding where further detailed
assessment is needed.
The outline study will:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
identify environmental risks and constraints;
identify if environmental resources can cope with further development;
identify if the development would overload the existing infrastructure;
identify if major new systems are needed to allow development;
help you pinpoint if there is water cycle capacity for new development without
needing to build major new infrastructure, and;
provide the evidence base for the local planning authority’s Core Strategy
provide an outline water cycle strategy agreed by all partners, where appropriate.
If the outline study does not reveal any irresolvable problems, objections by the Environment
Agency and other regulators may be lifted, provided there is also agreement on the funding and
provision of any required measures.
On the contrary, the outline study may identify that are constraints or objections that cannot be
resolved unless the location or phasing of development is subject to further testing.
The outline study may also indicate the need for more detailed assessments to be carried out
before new development can be approved. These will need to be assessed during a detailed
WCS.
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
If an environmental risk assessment is not completed by the time the core strategy is
submitted, there is an increased likelihood that it will face objections or be rejected. The same
is true for an infrastructure capacity assessment and the site specific allocations Development
Planning Document (DPD). The level of detail in the outline study should therefore be sufficient
to satisfy the water company, Environment Agency and the planning inspectorate of the points
listed above.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
Detailed technical information on what each stage of a water cycle study should provide for the
can be found in Section 3: Supporting Technical Information.
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
An example flowchart of an outline water cycle study is available here. Click here to view an
example flowchart of the Outline Water Cycle Study process
OTHER SECTIONS
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
16
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
How do I carry out an outline study?
IN THIS SECTION
The output of the outline water cycle study should be a strategy or report which answers the
following questions:
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
How do I carry out an
outline study?
•
•
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
•
•
•
•
•
Is there enough water? Has the water company’s twin track approach to water resources
made sure that there is enough water available to serve the projected growth levels?
Will there be a water quality impact? Can the existing sewerage and wastewater
treatment networks cope with the increased load, and can the environment cope with the
resulting increased flow and pollutant loads from the treated effluent? If not, are there
alternative discharge locations that will not cause a failure of water quality targets? Is
there an increased risk of storm water overflows causing an adverse water quality
impact?
Can development be accommodated without increasing flood risk? The outline WCS
needs to work alongside the SFRA, and identify if there is there sufficient land at low risk
of flooding for all the proposed development. Will rain water be adequately managed to
prevent surface water flooding in the development or elsewhere? Will increased
discharge from WwTWs increase flood risk?
Are there other location specific environmental risks that need to be considered, for
example relating to biodiversity or conservation requirements?
What constraints are there on increasing capacity? The outline study needs to
summarise the answers to the questions above and identify where there are
environmental or infrastructure constraints.
What opportunities are there for changing proposed development location? The outline
study needs to inform core strategy decisions, and compare major infrastructure
provision for different options for development.
Are there outstanding concerns about infrastructure provision that need to be addressed
in a detailed WCS?
OTHER SECTIONS
Click here for more information on what
information an outline WCS will provide
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
17
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Outline study process
IN THIS SECTION
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
Scoping study
FAQ
This flow chart is provided as an example. It is important that the outline study process is
amended to reflect local issues. The scope and process for each WCS should be agreed in
partnership with the water cycle steering group.
How do I carry out an
outline study?
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
18
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
What information will an outline water cycle study provide?
WATER RESOURCES AND WATER SUPPLY
Environment capacity
Is there capacity in existing
licences for development?
Will existing licence remain
valid?
Can we reduce abstraction by
better management practices?
Infrastructure capacity
If new major infrastructure (reservoirs,
water treatment works, boreholes) are
needed, can they be provided in time,
can they be funded, and are they
sustainable?
Environmental capacity
Is there volumetric capacity in existing
effluent discharge consent for growth?
Will discharge consent be valid to meet
future standard (e.g. WFD)?
Will additional discharge be allowed if
there is no additional environmental
capacity to assimilate it?
Infrastructure capacity
If new major infrastructure
(wastewater treatment works,
major pumping mains or
sewer mains) are needed, can
they be provided in time, and
can they be funded?
WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT
Proposed new development
How many houses are planned by when?
What commercial development is
planned?
Environmental opportunities
Are we making the most of our new
development?
Are there multi-use options that will provide
water resources, flood risk management and
water quality benefits?
Examples shown
Green roofs and permeable road surfaces for
new developments
SUDS designed to provide green infrastructure
and biodiversity benefits as well as surface water
flood risk and water quality management
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Detailed study
IN THIS SECTION
A detailed water cycle study works alongside the latter stages of the Core Strategy
development process, and will lead to a water cycle strategy which;
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
•
How do I carry out an
outline study?
•
•
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
identifies what water cycle management measures and infrastructure are required, and
where and when they are needed;
identifies who is responsible for providing the systems, and by what deadline, and;
guides planners and developers on site specific requirements (for example SuDS
requirements).
The outline study should have gained ‘in principle’ agreement to the Core Strategy. However, it is
likely to have identified areas of uncertainty where further work is required. The detailed study will
need to resolve these areas of uncertainty.
A detailed study may not be necessary for every WCS. If the scoping study and outline study
have not identified any environmental risks, or major infrastructure needs, a full study may not be
needed. However, experience has shown that a detailed study may find a more cost effective and
sustainable solution to providing infrastructure, managing demand, and improving environmental
quality.
The precise requirements of the detailed study will be different for each location, depending on
the proposed development, area characteristics, and existing systems. It is important that the
requirements for the detailed study are clearly outlined in the scoping phase and outline study.
A detailed study will:
•
•
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
•
•
•
complete any detailed assessments identified in the outline study;
establish minimum design standards to be applied to new developments to ensure a
sustainable and integrated water cycle;
carry out a sustainability analysis of development options and water cycle infrastructure;
provide a detailed framework for the sustainable provision of infrastructure including a
timeline of requirements (the water cycle strategy);
help ensure that water cycle infrastructure will be funded and implemented in a timely
manner;
inform supplementary planning guidance, and;
provide the basis for a financial mechanism for developer contributions, or a ‘reasonable
prospect’ of infrastructure provision to link planning conditions.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
•
•
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
An example process flowchart for carrying out a detailed study and devising a water cycle
strategy can be found by following this link.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Click here for a case study of a detailed water cycle strategy
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
20
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
This flow chart is provided as an example. It is important that the outline study process is amended to
reflect local issues. The scope and process for each WCS should be agreed in partnership with the
water cycle steering group.
How do I carry out an
outline study?
Confirm development scenarios to be
assessed (these would normally be the
Core strategy preferred options by the
stage, or the sites to be tested for the Site
Allocations DPD)
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Detailed study process
IN THIS SECTION
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
Outline study
FAQ
Is there infrastructure
capacity for development?
Investigate options for provision of
infrastructure to facilitate development
Review development scenarios
being tested
N
Y
N
Does infrastructure meet future
needs (eg climate change)
N
Can capacity be created in the
existing infrastructure by managing
demand?
Are plans (and funding) in place to
provide infrastructure?
N
Is it technically feasible to
provide infrastructure in time?
N
Y
Y
Y
Assess sustainability of infrastructure and
mitigation options
Is the solution identified the
most sustainable solution?
OTHER SECTIONS
N
Identify alternative sustainable solution
Y
Develop preferred solution and timeline for
provision of infrastructure
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
N
Is funding available through
traditional sources to provide
required infrastructure ?
N
Y
Investigate potential alternative funding
options for infrastructure and develop
funding mechanism
Can funding be made
available from other sources
to provide infrastructure ?
Y
Detailed Water Cycle Strategy
Comprising:
Infrastructure timeline for most sustainable
infrastructure options
Identification of funding or revenue streams for
required infrastructure
Evidence base for Core Strategy preferred
options and site allocations DPD sustainability
appraisal
Guidance for developers on minimum
standards and best practice
Guidelines / developer checklist to assist LPA
make planning decisions
Further information
21
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
How do I carry out an
outline study?
How do I carry out a
detailed study?
How do I implement the
strategy?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Implementation
IN THIS SECTION
How do I carry out a
scoping study?
Scoping study
FAQ
As planning applications are received, it is important that the planned water cycle infrastructure,
identified in the water cycle strategy, is still needed and either already in place, or on target for
delivery by the time it is needed.
Therefore the water cycle strategy needs to be reviewed on a regular basis to make sure that is:
•
•
•
•
consistent with any policy changes;
consistent with housing delivery and strategic housing numbers;
consistent with any changes to the River Basin Management Plan, and;
consistent with changes to the water companies 25 year strategic direction statement;
changes to their SWRMP and to changes in their business plan
It is recommended that the water cycle strategy is reviewed every five years, alongside the review
of the Core Strategy.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
22
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Flood risk
management
Surface water
management planning
Water resources
Wastewater and water
quality
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Flood risk management
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
There are several pieces of information which may need to be referred to in the WCS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Planning Policy Statement 25 - development and flood risk
The catchment flood management plan (CFMP)
The regional flood risk appraisal (RFRA)
Defra Coastal Defence Appraisal Guidance for climate change impacts (for coastal locations)
Shoreline Management Plans (for coastal locations)
The strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA)
The surface water management plan (SWMP)
The water companies’ drainage area plan (DAP)
Internal Drainage Board administration area map*
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
The outline study will need to confirm that proposed development is within environmental
capacity, and that in principle, it will not increase flood risk within the development or elsewhere.
Urban Pollution
Management
It will need to:
•
•
•
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
•
•
•
Help direct development away from areas of high flood or coastal erosion risk.
Help determine whether a surface water management plan is required to provide a
strategic approach to surface water drainage, groundwater flooding, and flood risk
management.
Allow the Environment Agency to agree ‘in principle’ that the Local Development
Framework Core Strategy policies are compliant with PPS25.
Identify the need and opportunities for options that produce multiple benefits. For
example restoring a river and floodplain upstream of a town or city will improve the
ecological quality of the receiving water, provide amenities and open space, as well as
reducing existing flood risk.
Ensure that climate change impacts on flood risk and sea level rise are taken into
account in spatial planning.
Provide high level policies and advice for developers where necessary.
If there are multiple sources of flooding (such as combined surface water drainage and river
flooding), it is likely that a surface water management plan will be required. This would form part
of the development of a detailed water cycle strategy and determine the need for strategic flood
risk solutions. At the time of writing (November 2008) guidance on how to undertake surface
water management plans was being produced (see below).
It is important to identify the scope of the surface water management plan at an early stage, and
to develop the plan as part of, or alongside a detailed WCS.
The detailed study will need to:
•
•
•
fill any information gaps identified in the outline study;
work with or carry out an exception test to provide justification if homes are proposed to
be built in areas of higher flood risk, and;
work with, or carry out a surface water management plan where required.
Further information
* Internal Drainage Boards are responsible for managing ordinary water courses in IDB controlled areas. This map
identifies the IDB controlled areas. For more information visit www.ada.org.uk
Click here for a link to Defra’s consultation on “Improving Surface Water Drainage”.
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Surface water management plans
IN THIS SECTION
Surface water
management planning
Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs) can be defined as the tool to manage surface water
flood risk on a local basis by improving and optimising coordination between relevant stakeholders.
SWMPs will build on SFRAs and provide the vehicle for local organisations to develop a shared
understanding of surface water flood risk, including setting out priorities for action, maintenance
needs and links into LDFs and emergency plans (Pitt review, 2008).
Currently guidance is being produced by Defra on how to undertake
SWMPs (click on the image to view larger version of SWMP process). For
more information on surface water management please follow the link
below
Water resources
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/surfacewaterdrainage.htm)
Wastewater and water
quality
There are linkages between a WCS and a SWMP, and a SWMP can be
part of a detailed WCS if the need is identified (click here view linkages
between a WCS and SWMP). Flood risk management is principally concerned with reducing
existing flood risk and effectively managing flood risk from new developments.
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Flood risk
management
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
A WCS is predominantly concerned with ensuring sustainable new development. In the case of
surface water flood risk a WCS should seek to effectively master plan surface water runoff from
new development so as not to increase flood risk or to reduce flood risk. Where a WCS does not
identify any existing surface water flood risk then a SWMP is unlikely to be required, as the WCS
can effectively master plan the new development to ensure risk from new development are
managed effectively.
In areas where there is significant existing surface water flood risk but little new development, then
risk should be managed through the SWMP process, as shown in the table below. In these
situations it is unlikely that a WCS would need to be carried out.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
Ideally, where there is a combination of new development and existing surface water flood risk a
SWMP should be carried out as an integral part of the detailed WCS, which will allow integration
between the two studies. If a SWMP has already been carried out prior to the WCS the SWMP
should be used as part of the evidence base for the WCS, in much the same way as a SFRA is
used. Equally a WCS could inform and recommend the need for a SWMP, although this may hinder
integration between the studies.
New development
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Existing surface water flood risk
3
3
Study required
WCS
3
SWMP
3
WCS and SWMP
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
24
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Surface water management plans
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Flood risk
management
Surface water
management planning
Water resources
Wastewater and water
quality
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
NB: this is a ‘living
draft’ and is correct as
(back to previous page)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
25
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
There are five key sources of information that will need to be considered as part of the WCS.
Catchment abstraction management strategies (CAMS)
Strategic water resource management plans (WRMP)
River Basin Management Plans
Water company infrastructure plans
Code for sustainable homes
Surface water
management planning
Wastewater and water
quality
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
detailed study
Is there enough water and have we managed demand effectively?
Flood risk
management
Water resources
Outline study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water resources and water supply
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
The outline study will need to confirm that proposed development is within environmental
capacity, that environmental opportunities are taken advantage of, and that major infrastructure
(where required) can be planned, designed, funded and built in time to serve development. The
water resource management plans will cover this at a water resource zone level. However a
water resource zone may contain many different urban areas. The outline WCS will need to
ensure that the WRMP is valid at the local level.
It will need to:
•
Confirm demand management, leakage reduction measures, and new resource
schemes identified in the WRMP are adequate for the projected development and
population increase;
•
Assess the risk of sustainability reductions or River Basin Management Plans reducing
abstraction licenses;
•
Compare and confirm the water company population estimates and projections in the
WRMP against the latest forecast population projection;
•
Assess the balance of demand management and leakage reduction schemes against
new resources schemes, and identify opportunities for further demand management
schemes in new and existing developments;
•
Confirm that the forecast population growth can be accommodated with the water
resource and supply schemes proposed in the WRMP;
•
Identify if there are opportunities to save money or improve sustainability through an
integrated approach with other elements of the water cycle study. Where this is the
case, the outline study will need to identify what further work is required in the detailed
study to achieve the benefits. An example of this would be rainwater harvesting or
grey-water recycling;
•
Identify high level policy advice on water efficiency measures for developers (see
further information below);
•
Identify any information, data, funding or policy gaps that need further investigation.
The Detailed study will need to:
•
•
•
•
7. GLOSSARY
•
fill any information gaps identified in the outline study;
identify what strategic water supply infrastructure is required by when;
confirm that water resources and supply infrastructure is planned to be provided in a
timely manner;
ensure that opportunities for greater demand management and environmental
enhancement identified in the outline study are achieved, and;
assess the possibility for water neutrality - If the study area is in an area of severe
water stress, the sustainability assessment is likely to score water demand
management very highly, and in such areas water neutrality should be considered.
Further inforUnder the Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1, Planning and Climate Change, LPAs can set higher
standards of water efficiency where local circumstances, identified by the water cycle study, warrant such action.
These local requirements should be specified in terms of the achievement of nationally described sustainable
building standards, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes.
26
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Flood risk
management
Surface water
management planning
Water resources
Wastewater and water
quality
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water quality and wastewater collection
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
There are two main ways in which new development can affect aquatic ecology and water quality:
•
•
changes to the volume and quality of surface water runoff, and;
increases in treated sewage effluent and frequency of storm discharges from the foul
sewerage network.
The first issue should be addressed as part of the flood risk management and drainage
assessment. By assuring compliance with PPS25 and the Interim Code of Practice for SuDS, there
should be no significant increase in the rate, volume, or quality of surface water runoff.
The water quality aspect of the water cycle study needs to address the following two questions:
•
Will increases in the volume or concentration of wastewater discharges prevent compliance
with water quality objectives?
•
Can water infrastructure be funded and built at the pace needed to support the proposed
development?
Close partnership between the water cycle group partners is essential to identify what information
and tools are already available to answer these questions, and identify what gaps need to be
answered by the different stages of the water cycle study.
The outline study will need to confirm that there is sufficient environmental capacity to
accommodate the impact of new developments, that environmental opportunities are taken
advantage of, and that major infrastructure (where required) can be planned, designed, funded and
built in time to serve development.
To do this it will need to:
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
•
•
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
•
•
Identify and agree the water quality objectives for the study area with the Environment
Agency.
Identify, in consultation with the Environment Agency, the future target standards - for
example, the new Water Framework Directive Standards or targets to be achieved under the
Habitats Directive. These will be identified for all water bodies in the draft (2008) and final
(2009) River Basin Management Plans. Where further studies are needed to develop locally
relevant standards, it should be clear that these will be carried out in the detailed stage.
Identify the capacity of the WwTW, both actual and consented, and identify when this
capacity is likely to be reached.
Confirm that the population figures and per capita consumption rates used are consistent with
the water companies latest estimates, with the water resources management plan, and with
the steering group’s aspirations to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level.
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
(cont)
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
27
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water quality and wastewater collection (2)
IN THIS SECTION
...cont from previous page
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
•
Flood risk
management
•
Surface water
management planning
•
Water resources
•
Wastewater and water
quality
•
Identify if major strategic improvements to the sewerage system are required. If they are
required the study should identify if funding is available, and if there are opportunities for
environmental enhancement as part of the strategic improvements;
Identify process and physical capacity constraints at the WwTW, and determine feasible
options for overcoming these. For example, is land available for extension of the
WwTW?
In collaboration with the water cycle steering group, identify those issues that need to be
looked at in more detail during the detailed water cycle study;
Identify if there are other environmental capacity constraints that may need to be
resolved. For example, will increased discharge from a WwTW lead to an unacceptable
increase in flood risk?
Identify if there are any missing data that need to be sourced before any detailed
planning applications can be assessed.
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
The detailed water cycle study will need to:
•
◊
◊
◊
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Carry out additional studies identified by the outline study. Depending on the local issues
further modelling studies may be necessary. For example:
Habitats Directive appropriate assessments
Urban Pollution Management modelling studies
Integrated catchment modelling studies
•
The requirement for these further studies, and the scope and objectives need to be
agreed and identified in the outline study.
•
In conjunction with the water resources and supply assessments, ensure that
opportunities for greater demand management and environmental enhancement
identified in the outline study are achieved.
An example process which could be adopted when determining the water quality requirements
for wastewater treatment is illustrated at this link.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Storm discharges
The majority of new developments will be served by separate foul and surface water sewers. However, where
drainage from new development will connect into a combined system which has existing combined sewer
overflows an Urban Pollution Management assessment should be considered
28
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Flood risk
management
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water Framework Directive and River Basin planning
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a framework to protect the water environment
and to improve the quality of surface coastal and inland water bodies, groundwater, and
associated wetlands.
Surface water
management planning
The Environment Agency is the competent authority for implementation of the Water Framework
Directive in England and Wales. This involves use of the Agency’s regulatory powers as well as
collaboration with other delivery agencies and local and regional government to deliver the
intended outcomes.
Water resources
Objectives
Wastewater and water
quality
By taking an inclusive approach to managing water as it flows through catchments from lakes,
rivers and groundwater to estuaries and the sea, the Water Framework Directive aims to:
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
•
improve the ecological health of inland and coastal waters and prevent further
deterioration, especially by protecting against diffuse pollution in urban and rural areas
through better land management;
•
drive wiser, more sustainable use of water as a natural resource;
•
create better habitats for wildlife in and around water;
•
progressively reduce or phase out discharges, emissions and losses of priority
substances and priority hazardous substances;
•
progressively reduce the pollution of groundwater, and;
•
contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts.
River Basin Management Plans
In England River Basin Management Plans will identify what needs to be done by the Environment
Agency and others to implement a Programme of Measures to achieve ‘good status’ (ecological,
chemical and physical) in designated water bodies. The first Plan is in preparation for completion
by 2015.
River Basin Management Plans will identify water bodies and appraise their baseline condition
(2008). Standards for good status of water bodies will be assessed under UKTAG Water
Framework Directive guidance. Where water bodies do not meet the required standard the
Programme of Measures will identify action needed to achieve it.
The future timetable to prepare and implement the River Basin Management Plans is:
•
•
•
2008 (December - June 2009) consult on draft River Basin Management Plans, which
includes overview of status and programmes of measures;
2009 (December) first River Basin Management Plans, including the setting of
environmental objectives for each body of water and summaries of programmes of
measures, and;
2015 meet Directive objectives for first River Basin Management Plans.
Click here for more information and a map of the river basin districts
Further information
Click here to go to the Environment Agency’s WFD pages
29
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Flood risk
management
The Water Framework Directive recognises the potential impacts on water bodies from new
development as a pressure that must be addressed. The Environment Agency may, for example,
work through the planning system and advise developers and local authorities to:
•
restore river margins to a natural state wherever possible through new development and
redevelopment of previously developed land;
•
use Sustainable Drainage Systems where they are suitable to control peak flows in rivers and
streams and help prevent urban pollution;
•
ensure that new water infrastructure is designed and located to improve the quality of local
watercourses, and is resilient to the effects of climate change, especially the impact of higher
peak flows;
•
plan, in partnership with water companies, so that new water infrastructure capacity is
available in time to meet the demand from new development, and;
•
ensure that inappropriate new development does not occur in places that are at risk of
flooding, or where it increases the risk of flooding elsewhere.
Water resources
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
detailed study
New development
Surface water
management planning
Wastewater and water
quality
Outline study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water Framework Directive and River Basin
Management Plans
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
The Environment Agency will do this by commenting on development plans, environmental
assessments and planning applications.
Water Cycle Studies
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
Part of the Environment Agency’s approach
will be to identify the need for local
authorities, developers and water
companies* to work together and prepare a
Water Cycle Study that assesses the
impacts of new development on local water
bodies. Water Cycle Studies will have to
take into account the standards set out in
River Basin Management Plans. These
standards are likely to be more demanding
than those currently used to determine water
consents (e.g. for abstraction, discharge and
land drainage) which may result in less
environmental headroom than previously
thought. This may require local reassessment of water infrastructure and
require investment to meet the new
standards as well as to meet increased
demands from new development.
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Click here for more detailed information on the river basin districts
* and internal drainage boards if the WCS falls within an IDB area.
30
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Flood risk
management
Surface water
management planning
Water resources
Wastewater and water
quality
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
detailed study
Urban water quality planning is essential to ensure development is sustainable. Recent
advances in urban drainage modelling and water quality planning are helping to ensure a
more sustainable water cycle. They have shown that sustainable and cost efficient solutions
to the challenges of population increase, climate change and the Water Framework Directive
(WFD) are only possible with a strategic, holistic and integrated approach to modelling and
design.
The Urban Pollution Management Manual2 was a major research and development
programme that was sponsored by the whole of the UK Water Industry. Many of the planning
concepts and enabling tools in the Manual were substantially new at that time and address
issues that are of great importance to the industry. The process outlined in the Manual has
been widely adopted in the UK, and, in particular in areas with acute combined sewer
overflow problems.
There are three concepts behind the urban pollution management methodology.
1.
The need to consider the sewer system, treatment plant and the receiving water as an
integrated system, whereby changes in one part of the system has implications for
other parts.
2.
The approach is underpinned by environmental standards, where compliance to
defined standards need to be demonstrated.
3.
The level of detail of modelling should be risk-based and appropriate to the technical
needs of the study. Simple tools are often sufficient to undertake a UPM study and
more detailed modelling methodologies are only required where there is an economic
case to do so.
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
Outline study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Urban pollution management
IN THIS SECTION
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Scoping study
FAQ
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
2
Foundation for Water Research (1994) - Urban Pollution Management Manual
31
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water quality and wastewater collection process
SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Flood risk
management
Surface water
management planning
Water resources
Wastewater and water
quality
Water Framework
Directive and River
Basin Planning
Urban Pollution
Management
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
32
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What do we mean by water cycle capacity?
When is a water cycle study needed?
Is a water cycle study always needed?
Is a detailed study always needed?
Do I need to consult the public when carrying out my WCS?
How does a water cycle study link to other plans?
What are the benefits of a water cycle study?
Who is responsible for water and environmental infrastructure?
Who pays for a water cycle study?
Who pays for water infrastructure?
What do we mean by water neutrality?
What do we do if we haven’t carried out a strategic flood risk assessment?
Is the development in an area of water stress?
OTHER SECTIONS
How does a WCS fit in the Local Development Framework?
What spatial area should a WCS cover?
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
Who should lead a WCS?
Who should be in a water cycle study group?
Should developers be part of a water cycle study group?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
How do you determine the most sustainable water and environmental infrastructure?
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What does sustainable water management look like in practice?
How might the Competition Act 1991 affect a WCS?
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Is a water cycle study always needed?
For small developments a water cycle study may not be necessary. An assessment of the
infrastructure needed to support development is needed for all developments, no matter how small
and individual authorities and companies may carry out elements of the study separately. However,
this approach is risky. The measures identified may not be the most environmentally sound or costeffective. And as a result, cumulative small scale development may gradually damage the water
cycle. This kind of damage, if never fully evaluated, can cause more environmental problems than a
large development.
Each stage of the WCS will identify the need and scope for further stages. If the scoping study
identifies that there are no significant environmental or infrastructure capacity issues, that previous
work has planned for sustainable infrastructure and that demand management is being promoted,
there may be no need for further work. Similarly the outline study may conclude that a detailed
study is not required.
OTHER SECTIONS
Do I need to consult the public when carrying out my WCS?
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
Consultation with the public is not normally required during a water cycle study. However the
findings of the water cycle study may be subject to public scrutiny if they are used as the evidence
base to the Sustainability Appraisal or the Core Strategy.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
34
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
How does a WCS link to other plans?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
A water cycle study and strategy brings together and integrates many separate pieces of work
by different organisations and should be seen as a framework for integrating a variety of water
and environmental planning studies.
It is essential that the water cycle scoping study identifies what other plans and strategies have
already been carried out, and provides a clear map of how these studies integrate with or inform
the WCS.
The figures below provide examples of how a water cycle study can map to flood risk
management, water resources planning, and water quality and wastewater planning processes.
The water cycle scoping study should identify and agree a framework of what plans and
processes the water cycle study will build upon and inform.
Flood risk management
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
Water quality and wastewater
treatment
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Water resources
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
35
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
How does a WCS link to flood risk management planning?
(back to SWMP page)
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
36
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
How does a WCS link to water quality and wastewater planning?
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
37
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
How does a WCS link to water resources planning?
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
38
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
What are the benefits of a WCS?
One of the most important benefits of a WCS is that allows all the key organisations to work together
in the planning process and builds confidence between parties.
This partnership working ensures that development meets sustainable development requirements, by
ensuring:
•
houses are built in the right place as agreed by all stakeholders;
•
demand for new services is managed through good urban and building design, and;
•
the necessary additional infrastructure is both sustainable and provided in time to
support development.
The water cycle study is of benefit to all stakeholders. The links below provide further information on
the benefits to stakeholders.
Planning authority
Water company
Environment Agency
Developer
Public
OTHER SECTIONS
Natural England
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
39
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
What are the benefits of a WCS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Planning authority
A WCS will identify sites which can and cannot support growth, as well as immediate funding and
longer-term maintenance costs.
It will
•
•
•
•
provide the evidence base for the water cycle components of your Core Strategy;
provide a compliance framework for planning applications and planning obligations;
remove or reduce delays to the development and implementation of the Core Strategy
by securing water company and Environment Agency agreement in advance of
submission, and;
integrate flood risk management with the wider water environment.
Another advantage is that a WCS can help reduce disruption to existing communities. By
pinpointing the systems that are needed before work begins, and looking at tactical solutions, new
infrastructure can be planned and delivered more efficiently
Water company
Environment Agency
Developer
Public
OTHER SECTIONS
Natural England
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
40
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
What are the benefits of a WCS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Planning authority
Water company
A WCS ensures water infrastructure is provided when and where it is needed, by providing
supporting information for water companies to justify their investment plans to Ofwat, the
Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Defra.
By identifying the water cycle needs early, realistic timescales can be considered which will
prevent developments being slowed down by the need to build new systems. It also helps meet
the higher standards of water management required by the WFD.
Early identification of environmental and infrastructure constraints will ensure that water
companies concerns are a planning consideration when spatial planning decisions are being
made.
Water companies will benefit from involvement in the WCS process as the study will provide early
identification of strategic needs and will allow new development and infrastructure to be planned in
a sustainable way that takes account of climate change. Water companies may also benefit from
reduced flood risk for critical assets, and improved river water quality.
Environment Agency
Developer
OTHER SECTIONS
Public
Natural England
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
41
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
What are the benefits of a WCS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Planning authority
Water company
Environment Agency
A water cycle study will benefit the Environment Agency because it provides a framework for
compliance with Environmental standards and government policy.
A completed WCS will be a valuable reference document for the Agency throughout the various
stages of the planning process. On receipt of planning application consultations the Agency's
technical experts will use the WCS to check the available capacity or the plans for additional
capacity and any new consents required. The strategy will provide the evidence
for recommending conditions or, where necessary, raising objections to development.
Developer
Public
Natural England
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
42
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
What are the benefits of a WCS?
Planning authority
Water company
Environment Agency
Developer
A WCS will give developers and investors confidence in the study area by providing:
•
increased confidence regarding planning and development timescales:
•
a clear understanding of infrastructure requirements, timescales and costs;
•
potential economies of scale that result in cheaper infrastructure, and a fairer
apportionment of costs;
•
certainty regarding provision and maintenance of Sustainable Drainage Systems
(SuDS);
•
clarity, guidance, and flexibility for achieving water efficiency targets;
•
early Environment Agency and planning authority agreement.
Public
Natural England
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
43
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
What are the benefits of a WCS?
Planning authority
Water company
Environment Agency
Developer
Public
A WCS will provide the public with:
•
•
•
•
•
confidence that the development is safe, and that flood risk has been properly managed;
reliable water supply and wastewater treatment;
evidence that organisations responsible for planning and development are working in
partnership;
evidence that infrastructure and development solutions are sustainable, and;
potential reductions in water and energy utility bills through efficient demand and
infrastructure management and reduced water heating and pumping costs.
Natural England
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
44
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
What are the benefits of a WCS?
Planning authority
Water company
Environment Agency
Developer
Public
Natural England
The inclusion of conservation bodies such as Natural England in a WCS ensures that sitespecific environmental concerns may be appropriately evaluated.
It helps preserve environmental designations such as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for future generations to enjoy and benefit
from. It ensures sustainability as well and encourages environmentally responsible practises,
without hindering the growth process or debilitating the environment.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
45
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Who is responsible for water and environmental infrastructure?
Who is responsible for providing clean water and wastewater treatment?
The water industry supplies around 15 billion litres of water per day to the population of
England and Wales. It also collects and disposes of over 10 million tonnes of waste water
every day.
To do this the industry has over 350,000km of sewers, 6,000 discharges from wastewater
treatment works and 25,000 intermittent discharges. As a result the water industry has the
potential to have a great impact on the environment.
Managing this impact of wastewater discharges is the concern of the Environment Agency, and
the water companies. The Environment Agency is the environmental regulator for the water
industry. The Environment Agency analyse, inform and advise on its environmental performance
in delivering existing environmental requirements.
The present water industry is made up of ten main water and sewerage companies. They deal
with clean water and waste water. In addition, 17 water only companies deal with just clean water.
Water UK represents all UK water suppliers and wastewater operators at a national and European
level.
The Environment Agency is one of two water quality regulators; the other, the Drinking Water
Inspectorate (DWI), regulates the quality of water supplied to customers. The Office of Water
Services (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of the water industry. It sets limits on prices the water
industry can charge its customers.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
Who is responsible for Flood risk management?
Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk in England. Defra funds
most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid
on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local
authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in capital improvement
projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk.
The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities. Flood risk should be
managed through a partnership approach to identify the most cost-beneficial investment strategies
to reduce or manage risk.
Traditionally, flooding in this context has meant from watercourses or the sea rather than from
other sources. However, Defra's strategy (Making space for water) is taking a holistic approach to
management of risk from all forms of flooding (river, coastal, groundwater, surface run-off and
sewer) and coastal erosion, and seeking to ensure the programme helps deliver sustainable
development.
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
46
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Who pays for a WCS study?
The WCS itself needs to be funded as a planning study.
The earlier in the planning process that you identify the need for a WCS, the easier it
will be to secure funding from the organisations involved.
It is important to distinguish between paying for water and environmental infrastructure
and paying for the WCS. The responsibility for funding and providing infrastructure
remains with the relevant authorities. A WCS gives those providers a good evidence
base to secure funding for that work.
Sources of funding for the WCS could include:
- Central government through growth point funding
- EU
- Developers
- Local Authority
- Environment Agency
- Infrastructure provider
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
47
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Who pays for WCS infrastructure?
Water services infrastructure
UK water and sewerage companies are responsible for providing water supply and
wastewater collection and treatment. The money they spend on water supply and sewerage
infrastructure is agreed in 5 year planning periods, and is determined by Ofwat (their financial
regulator) in consultation with Government, the Environment Agency, Natural England,
consumer organisations and others.
The consultation process is known as the Periodic Review and results in an Asset
Management Plan setting out how and when the Water Companies’ systems will be
maintained and upgraded. Periodic Review 04 (PR04), took place in 2004, and heralded the
fourth asset management plan (AMP4) covering the period 2005 - 2010. The water
companies begin business planning for the periodic review in the years leading up to the final
determination by Ofwat – this is shown in the figure below.
For major new infrastructure projects the planning process can extend beyond the normal 5
year cycle. For example, a new large WwTW can take up to 20 years to be funded, planned,
designed and provided.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
The water company periodic review process
A WCS ensures water infrastructure is provided when and where it is needed, by providing
supporting information for water companies to justify their investment plans with Ofwat.
Sustainable drainage systems
There is currently no consensus on who should own, operate and maintain SuDS systems. At
the time of writing (November 2008), this issue was being consulted on by Defra and may be
clarified as part of the forthcoming Floods and Water Bill.
A water cycle strategy can help identify the most appropriate organisation to operate and
maintain SuDS, the best way to fund the ongoing operation and maintenance, and will provide
planning authorities confidence that SuDS will be operated and maintained according to best
practice in the future.
One method of ensuring long term upkeep and maintenance of strategic assets is for the
developer to make a commuted sum payment for the maintenance of strategic assets which
are then adopted by a Statutory Authority.
Further information
48
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
What do we mean by water neutrality?
‘Water neutral’ development means that the total demand for water within a given spatial area is
the same after new development is built, as it was before. That is, the new demand for water
should be offset in the existing community by making existing homes and buildings in the area
more water efficient.
Case study: Towards water neutrality in the Thames Gateway
The Thames Gateway is Europe’s largest regeneration project and a major growth area which
will help deliver the Government's house building targets, with 160,000 new homes by 2016.
Like much of the South East, the Gateway area is seriously water stressed, and there are few
water supply options without serious cost and environmental implications. The Environment
Agency, in partnership with CLG and Defra, led a study to explore the feasibility of achieving
water neutrality – where the total water used after new development is no more than that used
before the development, leaving water in the environment for wildlife and for people to enjoy.
The study showed that, even with the forecast new development, population growth and
increases in water demand, water neutrality is technically possible to achieve. This study
demonstrated how growth and sustainable management of water resources can go hand in
hand. The Environment Agency is working with Communities for Local Government (CLG),
Defra, Ofwat and water companies to explore further the costs and delivery mechanisms for
achieving water neutrality in the Thames Gateway.
Source: Environment Agency, Defra, CLG (2007) Towards Water Neutrality in the Thames
Gateway. : http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/40737.aspx
OTHER SECTIONS
For more information about the Thames Gateway Eco-region and water neutrality in the Thames
Gateway, please read the Thames Gateway Eco-region prospectus available from http://
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/thamesgateway/pdf/1074037.pdf
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
49
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
What do we do if we haven’t yet carried out a flood risk assessment?
Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) states that local planning authorities should consider all
sources of flooding when planning for new development. Strategic Flood Risk Assessments
(SFRAs) should be carried out by all local planning authorities and provide the evidence base for
production of Development Plan Documents.
It is strongly recommended that a SFRA is carried out in conjunction with the WCS as both will be
required to provide a sound evidence base. However, if an SFRA is not available, it is
recommended that the water cycle study includes a strategic flood risk assessment within the
study. Should this not be possible, you will need to carry out a desktop assessment of all the
sources of information available, in order to meet the sequential testing required by PPS25. This
assessment will identify:
•
•
•
•
•
•
What catchment specific policies must be adopted (from the CFMP)?
What the high level risk of flooding is in the study area?
Who is responsible for the different sources of flooding?
Are there multiple sources of flooding – for example, does the study area suffer from
combined sewer and river flooding?
What the catchment hydrological processes are and what the potential is for SuDS?
Will the study area, considering both the existing and proposed development areas,
benefit from a surface water management plan?
This will not replace the SFRA, but will provide the outline and scope for the SFRA to be
completed in due course.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
50
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Is the development in an area of water stress?
If the proposed development is in an area of significant water stress, it is imperative that new
developments manage demand efficiently. In the future it is likely that new properties will have to
meet strict targets under the code for sustainable homes to help manage demand, especially
where they are in areas of water stress.
The Environment Agency has recently consulted on those areas that it believes are under
greatest water stress, and the figure below shows the results. More information about water
stress can be found here. For any water cycle study, up to date information about water stress
will need to be obtained from the Environment Agency and the Water Company/ies.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
51
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
How does a WCS fit in the Local Development Framework?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
The water cycle study process is phased to ensure that the water cycle study provides the relevant detail of information for each stage of the planning process. The figure below shows how
different stages of the best complement the LDF process.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
52
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cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
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Glossary and
sources of
information
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IN THIS SECTION
What spatial area should a WCS cover?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
The spatial area covered by a WCS will depend largely on local requirements, including the
need to consider a range of development sites, water catchment boundaries, and political
boundaries.
Different areas with varying requirements may have different water cycle study boundaries. As
a minimum, a water cycle study should examine the principal urban area, and any associated
development areas at its boundaries. Where development locations are clearly allocated the
area should include all of these. If site location hasn’t been decided, it may be necessary to
cover the whole planning authority area.
Where an urban area spans more than one authority boundary, it may be necessary to expand
the study area to include the entire area of the combined planning authorities. In addition,
more than one urban area within a single water infrastructure catchment (whether it be river,
wastewater or water supply catchment) could be planning significant development. In these
cases, it may be more appropriate to base the study area on the whole infrastructure
catchment(s).
The most sustainable way to overcome any environmental constraints may be to adjust the
location of development. Therefore the study area should be large enough to identify potential
alternative sites (see case study 2).
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
53
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What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
Who should lead a water cycle study?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Although there is no definitive answer to this question, local authorities would normally be the lead
organisation. This is principally because, as the authority with statutory responsibility for
development planning, the local authority will need to enforce the agreed outputs from a WCS.
Furthermore, the local authority needs to understand the environmental implications of potential
developments. WCS are an important tool to provide this information for the water environment and
the findings will need to be included in any development plans.
An exception is where Local Delivery Vehicles (LDV) or Urban Regeneration Companies have
been given the responsibility for providing the housing growth identified in the Regional Spatial
Strategies. Where they operate, they are required to produce a Core Strategy for the area, and as
such may be the most appropriate body to lead the WCS.
It is advisable to form a water cycle steering group of the relevant organisations at the earliest
possible stage, in order to decide who the lead partner will be.
Who should be in a water cycle study steering group?
Because different areas will have varying problems and issues, the responsibility for parts of the
system may fall with different organisations. For this reason, it is not always obvious who should be
in a water cycle steering group. It is likely that a suitably qualified consultant will need to be
appointed to carry out the scoping study, unless the local authority has the necessary technical
resources.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
As a minimum, the group should include representatives from:
Local authority
Environment Agency
Statutory water company/ies
However, it is likely that there will be other organisations with responsibility for, or an interest in the
development and its water cycle systems, for example:
Local development vehicle
Urban regeneration company
County council
Regional government office
Regional assembly
Natural England
Regional development agency
Developers or developer
consortiums
Internal drainage board
7. GLOSSARY
North Northants Water Cycle study project group
Further information
54
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What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
Should developers be part of a water cycle study group?
It is recommended that developers are not invited to contribute to the scoping study or to the
initial outline study. This is because decisions may be made at this stage about the number of
dwellings certain areas can accommodate, and might involve selection of an appropriate site.
This would result in a conflict of interest for the developer.
However, developers are often keen to contribute water cycle strategies and to water cycle
infrastructure (if appropriate). Therefore, if a developer has responsibility for key strategic
development sites, they should be invited to contribute to the development of the detailed
strategy.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
55
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
How do you determine the most sustainable water and environmental
infrastructure?
A water cycle study can help define the preferred development areas to ensure that development
does not conflict with environmental needs. However, inevitably, there will be occasions where site
allocations have been agreed, or where proposed development may have an impact on the
environment and require mitigation.
The water cycle study will need to resolve this conflict by ensuring that the water cycle infrastructure
options are as sustainable as possible.
One way to resolve this conflict and determine the most sustainable development and infrastructure
option for the Core Strategy is to carry out a sustainability assessment of the options. This would
consist of the following stages:
defining ‘sustainability objectives’: against which the different development and infrastructure
options will be assessed;
developing scenarios: developing a number of development scenarios and options to be tested by
the study;
comparing options: testing options and option appraisal using economic, social, technical and
environmental criteria and resolution of conflicting interests, and;
selecting options: identifying a preferred option and selecting the preferred strategy to be
promoted.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
Sustainability objectives should be established jointly through consultation with all stakeholders
and consultees. The objectives need to be expressed in terms which allow options to be tested
against them, and which address the problems without presupposing any specific solution. Defra
guidance exists for defining sustainability objectives for flood and coastal defence schemes. Whilst
these are not necessarily appropriate for the wider water environment, they provide a good
framework for defining appropriate objectives.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
56
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sources of
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Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
Continued from previous page
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Examples of sustainability objectives taken from Defra FCDPAG1: Flood and Coastal Defence
Project Appraisal Guidance, Defra 2001.
Sustainability is – Preserving and enhancing the environment
minimising the environmental and social impact of activities, e.g. ensuring water quality is not
affected, unacceptable noise levels created or heritage sites disturbed;
• ensuring all actions are environmentally neutral or positive, and contribute to biodiversity and
other environmental targets, e.g. ensuring that there is no net loss (or some gain) of inter-tidal
habitat on an estuary, and;
• avoiding pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (largely through reduced energy use)
during construction and scheme life.
•
Sustainability is – Using resources efficiently
• using sustainable construction materials – renewable, recycled or in the local natural resource
cycle, and gained without adverse environmental effect;
• minimising the use of construction materials (especially where these are not renewable);
• being energy efficient in transport and operational activities, and;
• minimising or recycling waste materials.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Sustainability is – Ensuring design, operation and maintenance processes are efficient and
flexible to long-term needs
• ensuring maintenance and operation is efficient in using the least materials and energy for the
greatest effect;
• designing for long-term viability and adaptability to meet the needs of future generations;
• designing with a whole-life approach – including adaptability to natural processes, climate
change impacts and other factors as listed below;
• repairable design – designed with maintenance and repair needs in mind;
• designed for failure – designed so that any failure is not catastrophic but controlled;
• designed to optimise the overall scheme costs and minimise any dismantling costs;
• sustainable use of skills – not unique or overly complex (related also to risk), and;
• designed with a dual or multipurpose functionality – e.g. sea wall with promenade or offshore
reef providing fisheries habitat or the provision of a walkway along a river floodbank (efficient use of
resources).
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
57
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cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
How might the Competition Act 1991 affect a WCS?
The water cycle study and strategy must comply with the Competition Act 1991. To do this, it should
not identify any single water company as the preferred provider because this could be considered
anti-competitive (see inset appointments below).
Therefore, the water cycle strategy should identify what the preferred option for water services
infrastructure is, without identifying who should provide it.
Inset appointments
The inset appointment process is the route by which one company replaces the incumbent as the
appointed water and/or sewerage company for a specified area. As such the replacement appointed
water company will have all of the same duties and responsibilities as the previous statutory water
company for the specified area.
There are three circumstances in which an inset appointment can be granted:
•
•
•
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
For an area in which each of the premises of one or more customers is supplied (or is likely to
be supplied) with not less than 50,000 cubic metres of water in England (250,000 cubic
metres of water in Wales) in any period of 12 months. The same inset criterion applies in
relation to inset appointments for sewerage services (the 'large user' criterion).
For an area which is not served by an incumbent appointed company - an 'unserved site'. This
includes an area that may be currently supplied by unregulated or 'private' supplies with its
own source of water. This criterion has to be met for both water and sewerage services
included in the inset appointment application.
For an area if the incumbent appointed company consents to transfer that area to the inset
appointee.
In order for an inset appointment application to progress the applicant must satisfy Ofwat fully that it
is able to finance and carry out the functions of a statutory water company. If the inset applicant
wishes to provide water and/or sewerage services to household customers (whether existing
privately-supplied households or potential customers on a new development), Ofwat apply a higher
level of scrutiny to ensure those customers would be properly supplied. Consequently, the process
that the potential inset appointee follows is more comprehensive. This is because household
customers have no choice in who supplies them with water and/or sewerage services. Only when
Ofwat are completely satisfied that an inset applicant is financially, operationally and technically
viable will the application be confirmed as complete. It may take some time to reach this stage if
initial submissions are not satisfactory.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
58
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Outline study
FAQ
What does sustainable water management look like in practice?
The River Quaggy
The history of the River Quaggy provides a good case study of how water cycle processes
have been neglected in the past under the guise of economic development and flood risk,
leading to loss of amenity value, loss of biodiversity. The award winning Quaggy River
project has shown that by working with the water cycle, it is possible to invest more wisely and
achieve greater social and environmental benefit than previously achieved.
See http://www.qwag.org.uk/home/ for more information
Gallions Ecopark, Thamesmead
Gallions Ecopark is an affordable housing scheme of 39 houses at Thamesmead, developed
by Gallions Housing Association. The homes use cost-effective, practical water and energy
efficiency design solutions that are easy to use and maintain. The water saving features
include low-volume baths, water efficient showers, spray taps, flow regulators, low volume
dual-flush toilets (4/2.5 litre) and water butts. Monitoring has shown that the average water
consumption of Ecopark properties is just under 100 litres per person per day, compared to
148 litres per person per day from a house built to current building regulations. Throughout
the development, the landscaping is sensitive to the needs of the environment. Paved areas
are limited, and the use of half-open pavement areas allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground
and reduce run-off. Rainwater is biologically treated before entering the local canal system,
and street water passes through oil separators before reaching the biological treatment area.
OTHER SECTIONS
Source: Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards 2005. http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/wea_2005_final_copy1_1099598.pdf
Sustainable water management and Ecotowns
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
Eco-towns provide a tremendous opportunity to think creatively about water and our
relationship to it and to make significant progress towards sustainable water management.
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
The Ecotowns worksheet proposes a range of innovative actions and examples of sustainable
water management
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
There is a draft PPS on ecotowns, which at the time of writing is undergoing consultation.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
For a useful guide to green infrastructure planning, follow this link.
Further examples of green infrastructure planning are available from the Green Infrastructure Guide for Milton Keynes
and the south Midlands
59
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Outline study
detailed study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Frequently asked questions
IN THIS SECTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Scoping study
FAQ
What does sustainable water management look like in practice?
Marston Vale Surface Waters Plan - Van Diemans Land
Introduction
The extensive development proposals for the Marston Vale, including residential, commercial
and major transport infrastructure improvements, combine to create substantial surface water
management problems and the potential for increase in flood risk. The Marston Vale Surface
Waters Group was created to seek innovative, integrated surface water solutions for the Vale.
The Group comprises The Forest of Marston Vale, the Environment Agency, Bedford Group
of Drainage Boards and the three local planning authorities. The Surface Waters Plan lays out
an integrated approach to surface waters management that is designed to deliver positive
biodiversity, recreation and sustainability benefits to the environmental regeneration agenda
that is being led by the Forest of Marston Vale. One example of delivering the integrated
approach promoted by the Marston Vale Surface Waters Plan is the Van Diemans Land
project on the Bedford urban fringe.
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
Van Diemans Land
•
As part of major residential and industrial developments to the south-west of Bedford an
integrated greenspace and surface waters management scheme has been developed
by partners of the Marston Vale Surface Waters Group.
•
Working with the planning authority, the Forest Team successfully secured an 8hectare site (known as Van Diemans Land) and £65,000 towards community woodland
creation costs as part of the planning obligation for a major distribution development
site nearby.
•
An innovative and integrated design approach has resulted in the incorporation of a
sustainable drainage scheme within the new woodland, as a component of wider flood
risk management proposals in this area.
•
These proposals include the creation of wet woodland, a national priority habitat within
the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and other priority wetland habitats.
•
The first phase of woodland planting at Van Diemans Land has already been delivered,
including extensive involvement of the local community in order to foster a strong sense
of “ownership” for the future.
•
A further 40 hectares has been acquired by the Forest of Marston Vale using a variety
of funds including developer contribution, ODPM Greenspaces grant and contributions
from businesses, to create an extensive “Green Gateway” to Bedford which builds on
and enhances the existing surface water management proposals in this area.
Benefits
•
An integrated, strategic approach to surface water management.
•
Increased opportunities for biodiversity and recreational gain.
•
Provides a good model of a “green” sustainable drainage scheme.
•
Creation of extensive public access greenspace and well wooded buffer between
expanding settlements and transport corridors.
•
Co-ordinated approach to delivering multi-functional greenspace in the urban fringe in
parallel with major planned development.
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
60
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
Scoping study
Outline study
Project Group
Outline water cycle
studies
Swindon Borough Council, Environment Agency,
Thames Water, Government Office for the South
West, developer consortium
Case study 2 North
Northants development
study
Key driver for study
Environment Agency and water company
concerns raised during RSS
Case study 4 Corby
Detailed water cycle
study
Water cycle study
output examples
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Key Features of study
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detailed water cycle
studies
Case Study 3
Basingstoke detailed
water cycle study
Glossary and
sources of
information
Case study 1 — Swindon Outline Water Cycle Study
Case Studies
Case Study 1 Swindon
outline WCS
detailed study
FAQ
Carried out in advance of Core
Strategy
Prepared in advance of SFRA
No clearly defined development
areas
Adequate provision of water supply
Provision of wastewater
infrastructure
Impact of growth on water quality
Consultant led
SuDS potential analysis
Background
Swindon has experienced rapid growth in the last 50 years. As a designated growth point,
growth is likely to continue for the next 20 years. However, serious concerns had been raised by
the Environment Agency about the availability of water, and about wastewater treatment
capacity and water quality. Initial studies by the Environment Agency had suggested that
development in Swindon was likely to be constrained by wastewater treatment technology and
by the timely provision of a new reservoir. The water cycle study needed to carry out a capacity
assessment to provide an evidence base for the RSS panel to determine how much growth to
allocate to the Swindon urban area.
Outcome
A previous lack of coordination between authorities, organisations and agencies had overestimated the impacts of housing growth. The latest estimates of population growth and water
and wastewater demand indicated there were feasible options to facilitate growth in the short
term. The capacity assessment identified that major new infrastructure would be required in the
future, for both water resources and supply and wastewater treatment. However, there were
feasible ways to plan, fund and deliver this without needing to compromise development.
An outline flood risk appraisal showed that there was sufficient area within Swindon Borough to
allow development without increasing flood risk. However, an SFRA had not been carried out to
PPS25, and this would be required to inform the site specific allocation document.
The water cycle study provided the evidence base to the RSS panel that there was
environmental capacity in Swindon to accommodate new development. A second phase of
the study is required to inform the core spatial strategy and site specific allocations document,
and ensure that the most sustainable infrastructure is provided in the timescales required.
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
The Swindon outline water cycle study reports can be viewed at http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?
a_id=2532
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
Case Studies
Outline water cycle
studies
Case Study 1 Swindon
outline WCS
Case study 2 North
Northants development
study
Detailed water cycle
studies
Case Study 3
Basingstoke detailed
water cycle study
Case study 4 Corby
Detailed water cycle
study
Water cycle study
output examples
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Case study 2-North Northants Outline Water Cycle Study
Project Group
North Northants Development Company (NNDC),
North Northants Joint Planning Unit (NNJPU),
Environment Agency, Kettering Borough Council,
Borough Council for Wellingborough, East
Northamptonshire Council, Corby Borough
Council, Anglian Water Services Ltd.(AWS)
Key driver for study
Undertake a high level capacity assessment of
the North Northants administrative area to
provide early warning of potential growth blockers
and inform the development of the Joint Core
Spatial Strategy.
Key Features of study
•
•
•
•
•
Several planning authorities
Advised capacity of foul sewerage
and wastewater treatment
Advised availability of water
resources
Advised timescale required for
development
Advised timing and funding of
major new infrastructure
Background
The North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit (NNJPU) is responsible for co-ordinating the
delivery of 52,100 new homes and 43,800 new jobs across North Northants by 2021. The
Environment Agency and AWS had specific concerns over the timing of this growth and associated
potential shortfall in wastewater treatment facilities and foul sewerage capacity. NNJPU were in the
process of preparing their joint Core Spatial Strategy for the four council areas concerned (Kettering,
Wellingborough, East Northamptonshire and Corby). A detailed water cycle strategy had been
carried out for Corby town, but there was no evidence base for addressing water services
infrastructure for the rest of North Northants. The urgency of the political timeframe for delivery of
the Core Spatial Strategy meant that a broad sweep approach was needed to cover a wide
geographical area in a relatively short timescale. This would identify potential blockers to growth
which required further investigation, and to inform strategic decisions relating to the timing and
location of growth.
Outcome
The key outcomes of the study can be summarised:
•
the outline strategy identified water resources and wastewater as potential constraints;
•
increasing water supply and implementing demand management measures were
essential to ensure a secure water supply for growth;
•
the most significant constraints were in relation to wastewater treatment and collection,
and extensive upgrades to meet future demand were identified;
•
housing growth agreed in principle through the previous Local Plan could outstrip capacity
at a major wastewater treatment works
within 4 years, which would leave no
headroom for new Core Strategy sites;
•
major new infrastructure would be
needed in certain areas before
additional development could be
accommodated, and;
•
the funding and phasing of wastewater
treatment and foul sewerage upgrades
were identified as critical issues.
A detailed water cycle strategy has been
commissioned to investigate these constraints in
detail and propose a strategy and timeframe for overcoming them to release areas for development.
Further information
The North Northants water cycle study reports can be found at http://www.nnjpu.org.uk/documents/
docdetail.asp?docid=168
62
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
IN THIS SECTION
Case study 3 — Basingstoke Detailed Water Cycle Study
Case Studies
Project Group
Outline water cycle
studies
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council,
Hampshire County Council, Environment Agency,
Natural England, Thames Water, South East
Water, Southern Water
Case Study 1 Swindon
outline WCS
Key driver for study
Case study 2 North
Northants development
study
Detailed water cycle
studies
Case Study 3
Basingstoke detailed
water cycle study
Case study 4 Corby
Detailed water cycle
study
Water cycle study
output examples
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
The outline water cycle study identified key
concerns with respect to water quality standards
and environmental capacity in the receiving water.
The detailed WCS will provide the evidence base
for the core strategy with respect to environmental
capacity for growth.
Key Features of study
•
•
•
•
•
•
Informs core strategy preferred
options
Detailed modelling of impact of
growth on water quality and ecology
Detailed ecological surveys
Climate change impact assessment
Sustainability appraisal of water
cycle options
Assessment of flood risk through a
complimentary Strategic Flood Risk
Assessment
Background
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England raised
concerns following the draft RSS, which identified 16,500 new dwellings were required in the
borough by 2026. There were specific concerns over the impact of growth on water quality and
ecology in the River Loddon, as well as on flood risk. A detailed water cycle strategy was
undertaken to provide an evidence base for preparation of the Core Strategy, and to provide
guidance on the timing and location of new infrastructure.
Outcome
The outline water cycle study identified that the major potential environmental constraint to growth
was the impact of treated sewage effluent on the ecology of the River Loddon. As part of the
detailed study an ecological assessment was carried out to examine the ecology of the River
Loddon which was used to inform the decision making process. The impact of growth on water
quality was examined with respect to Water Framework Directive (WFD) Standards to identify the
wastewater treatment works technologies needed to meet the standards.
A sustainability appraisal and preferred options assessment was carried out to compare different
options in terms of cost, energy use, funding, availability of land, direct impact on the water cycle
and other criteria.
An SFRA was undertaken to feed into the detailed strategy, and flood risk was not considered to be
an absolute barrier to development.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
Further information about the Basingstoke WCS can be found at http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/planning/
localplan/Phase+1+-+Water+Cycle+Study.htm
63
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
Case Studies
Outline water cycle
studies
Case Study 1 Swindon
outline WCS
Case study 2 North
Northants development
study
Detailed water cycle
studies
Case Study 3
Basingstoke detailed
water cycle study
Case study 4 Corby
Detailed water cycle
study
Water cycle study
output examples
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Case study 4 — Corby Detailed Water Cycle Study
Project Group
Catalyst Corby (subsequently NNDC), NNJPU,
Corby Borough Council, Environment Agency,
Bee Bee Developments Ltd, Anglian Water
Services Ltd (AWS)
Key driver for study
The Environment Agency were objecting to
planning applications being received in advance
of the Core Strategy, and in advance of an
integrated assessment of water cycle
infrastructure
Key Features of study
•
•
•
•
•
•
Identification of timeline and cost of
infrastructure upgrades
Detailed surface water
management assessment and
flood mitigation measure
development
Detailed costing of options
Identification of risks to growth
Detailed water quality and
sewerage modelling
Production of developer checklist
Objective
To develop a detailed strategy for the provision of new water services infrastructure to facilitate the
regeneration of Corby.
Background
An urgent situation arose in Corby with a number of high profile major housing developments being
debated in order to commence Corby’s regeneration process. The Environment Agency became
anxious to ensure that development did not outstrip the capacity of water infrastructure (flood
mitigation, wastewater treatment or water supply) to meet the demand in a sustainable manner. As
a statutory consultee under the planning process the Environment Agency promoted a new
approach to development. It was agreed, in consultation with other key stakeholders, that a water
cycle study be undertaken in order to assess the scale of development and the infrastructure that
would be required to accommodate the growth. The detailed water cycle study built directly upon
the work undertaken in the outline study. The detailed study confirmed some of the initial findings
and developed other findings in slightly different directions through more detailed investigation and
costing exercises.
Outcome
The final output of the detailed Corby Water Cycle Strategy was:
•
the high level specification of a number of flood risk mitigation measures;
•
additional wastewater treatment capacity (by expanding the existing works);
•
foul network improvements, and;
•
the additional water infrastructure that will be needed.
The strategy identified a number of flood risk mitigation measures. These are designed to prevent
additional run-off entering the west of Corby; store flood flows in central Corby; and to release it
quicker in the east of the town. The infrastructure identified is expected to cost £76 million and will
be provided in phases between now and 2031. Each element was shown on the infrastructure
timeline (Figure 1) and illustrated on an overview of required infrastructure (Figure 2). The principal
risk to the success of the Strategy is that AWS is granted sufficient funding to provide wastewater
treatment and water supply capacity beyond 2012. If capacity cannot be guaranteed after this time
development will be compromised until the infrastructure is in place.
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
64
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle study output examples
IN THIS SECTION
WATER CYCLE STUDY
OUTPUT EXAMPLES
Infrastructure timeline
Corby water cycle strategy—Infrastructure timeline and map
The Corby WCS identified what water services and flood risk management options were needed
where and when. The infrastructure timeline and infrastructure map that were generated (shown
below) provided all the partners clear, agreed evidence and information to use in their strategic
planning. It also provides the planning authority the evidence base to inform spatial planning.
SuDS assessment
Developer checklist
Infrastructure wheel
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
65
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle study output examples
IN THIS SECTION
SUDS constraints assessment
WATER CYCLE STUDY
OUTPUT EXAMPLES
Infrastructure timeline
SuDS assessment
Developer checklist
Infrastructure wheel
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
A SUDS constraints map allows the planning authority to make spatial planning decisions
based on drainage management issues. For example, the map above identifies areas by
infiltration potential based on a hydro-geological assessment.
This can be accompanied by developer guidance on what specific drainage management
techniques will be required in different areas.
The website http://www.uksuds.com/ provides a number of tools for developing a drainage
strategy.
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
66
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle study output examples
IN THIS SECTION
WATER CYCLE STUDY
OUTPUT EXAMPLES
Infrastructure timeline
SuDS assessment
Developer checklist
Developer checklists have been used in a number of
water cycle studies.
Developer checklist
The checklist is used as an addendum to the planning
application to allow the planning officer to confirm that the
application is consistent with the water cycle strategy.
Infrastructure wheel
Click the image to the left or here to download an example
Anglian Water have produced their own checklist of issues that should be considered as part of
each stage of a water cycle study. This list should not be seen as prescriptive, or mandatory, and
publication does not signify endorsement by the Environment Agency. Click the image below or
here to open the checklist
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
67
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
IN THIS SECTION
WATER CYCLE STUDY
OUTPUT EXAMPLES
Infrastructure timeline
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Water cycle study output examples
Infrastructure capacity wheel
The diagram below is taken from the North Northamptonshire outline water cycle study.
The ‘wheel’ shows at what point infrastructure capacity becomes a constraint over time.
SuDS assessment
Developer checklist
Infrastructure wheel
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE
PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
68
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Glossary
Abstraction licence - a licence granted under the Water Resources Act 1991, as amended by the Water Act 2003, to
abstract untreated water from a source of supply.
Asset Management Plan (AMP) - a plan for managing an water companies’ infrastructure and other assets in order to
deliver an agreed standard of service. The Asset Management Plans are submitted to Ofwat every 5 years and forms the
basis by which water rates are set. These plans identify the timescales and levels of investment required to maintain and
upgrade the serviceability of the assets.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) – a measure of polluting potential - a measure of oxygen use, or demand, by
bacteria breaking down the biodegradable load in wastewater treatment plants or environmental waters. It is used to
indicate the quality of water.
Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) – a strategy to assess how much water can be absracted to
meet its many economic uses – agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply – while leaving sufficient water in the
environment to meet ecological needs.
Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) – a strategic plan in which the Environment Agency seek to understand
the factors that contribute to flood risk in a catchment (e.g. land use), and to identify and agree policies for sustainable
flood risk management across a river catchment for the next 50-100 years.
Code for Sustainable Homes – the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and
construction of new homes—was launched in December 2006. The code measures the sustainability of a new home
against a range of sustainability criteria. The code sets minimum standards for energy and water use in new properties,
and give homebuyers more information about the environmental impact of their new home.
Communities and Local Government (CLG) - Communities and Local Government is the government department
responsible for policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. They have
responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England and for building regulations, fire
safety and some housing issues in England and Wales. The rest of their work applies only to England. (http://
www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/)
Core Strategy – a Development Plan Document setting out the spatial vision and strategic objectives of the planning
framework for an area, having regard to the Community Strategy (see also DPDs).
County Council - the upper tier authority that is responsible for waste and minerals planning functions in non-unitary,
and non-national park, local authority areas. A county council may provide advice and proposals on strategic planning
issues to the Regional Planning Body.
Customer Service Committees (CSC) - The first Director General of Water Services was appointed in 1989 and set up
ten regional Customer Service Committees (CSCs). These are independent of the water industry and they serve to
represent customers.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – the government department that brings together the
interests of farmers and the countryside; the environment and the rural economy; the food we eat, the air we breathe and
the water we drink. Defra is the government agency that sponsors the Environment Agency and sets policy on flood risk
management and water and environmental matters.
Development Plan Document (DPD) – details the spatial representation of housing and employment land allocations in
response to the regional spatial strategy.
Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) - Drinking water quality in England and Wales is regulated by the government
through the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The Inspectorate was set up in 1990 after the water industry was
privatised to operate an independent body with staff experienced in all aspect of water supply. The DWI task is to monitor
and check the safety of drinking water.
(http://www.dwi.gov.uk)
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Eco-town - Eco-towns are proposed new towns which are exemplar green developments of up to 20,000 homes. They are
designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability, including low and zero carbon technologies and good public transport.
(http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/ecotowns/)
Environment Agency (EA) – The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment
in England and Wales today and for future generations. The organisation is responsible for wide-ranging matters, including the
management of flood risk, water resources, water quality, waste regulation, pollution control, inland fisheries, recreation,
conservation and navigation of inland waterways.
Environmental capacity – the ability of the physical environment to accommodate urban development and population growth
without causing a deterioration in environmental quality.
Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH) – document produced by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford (formerly the
Institute of Hydrology), which gives guidance on rainfall and flood frequency estimation in the UK.
Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) – a FRA is required under PPS25 at the planning application stage for new developments. An
FRA will demonstrate how flood risk from all sources to the development itself and flood risk to others will be managed now and
in the future (including climate change).
Future Water - The Government’s new water strategy for England, Future Water was published 7 February 2008. This strategy
sets out the Government’s long-term vision for water and the framework for water management in England. (http://
www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/water/strategy/index.htm)
General Quality Assessment (GQA) Programme – the Environment Agency's method for classifying the water quality of rivers
and canals is known as the General Quality Assessment scheme (GQA). It is designed to provide an accurate and consistent
assessment of the state of water quality and changes in this state over time.
Geographical Information System (GIS) – is a system for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data and associated
attributes which are spatially referenced to the earth.
Habitats Directive – an EU Directive which aims to help safeguard Europe’s most endangered habitats, plants and animals. In
the UK the Directive is being implemented through the Habitats Regulations.
Hydro-ecology – the science of water in relation to wetland wildlife habitats and of how plant and animal communities interact
with their supporting soil water, surface water and ground water systems.
Inset appointment - An inset appointment is made when an existing water and/or sewerage undertaker is replaced by another
as the supplier of water and/or sewerage services for one or more customers within a specified geographical area.
Interim Code of Practice for SuDS – A guidance document produced by CIRIA, which aims to facilitate the implementation of
sustainable drainage in developments in England and Wales by providing model maintenance agreements and advice on their
use. It provides a set of agreements between those public organisations with statutory or regulatory responsibilities relating to
SuDS.
Internal Drainage Board (IDB) – independent bodies responsible for land drainage in areas of special drainage need. They
operate under the Land Drainage Act 1991, and have permissive powers to undertake works to secure drainage, water level
management and flood defence works.
Local delivery Vehicle (LDV) – partnership that brings the public and private sectors together to deliver large-scale social,
economic and environmental change to deliver the Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan.
Local Development Framework (LDF) – a folder of local development documents that outlines how planning will be managed in
the area.
Local Authority or Local Planning Authority (LA or LPA) – the local authority or council that is empowered by law to exercise
planning functions. Often the local borough or district council. National parks and the Broads authority are also considered to be
local planning authorities. County councils are the authority for waste and minerals matters.
Making space for water (MSfW) - MSfW, launched in 2004, outlines the Government strategy for the next 20 years to
implement a more holistic approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risks in England.
Natural England – Natural England is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the UK government. It was formed (vested) on 1
70
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
October 2006. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater
and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy,
understand and access the natural environment.
Ofwat – The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the body responsible for economic regulation of the privatised
water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. Ofwat is primarily responsible for setting limits on the prices charged for
water and sewerage services, taking into account proposed capital investment schemes (such as building new wastewater
treatment works) and expected operational efficiency gains.
Periodic Review or price review (PR) – One of Ofwat's main tasks is to set price limits for the water and sewerage companies
in England and Wales. Ofwat do this in order to protect consumers from the monopoly providers of these services. However it is
also their duty to enable efficient companies to finance their functions. PR’s ensure that consumers receive reliable services and
value for money and that each company is able to meet its environmental obligations now and in the future. Price limits are
reviwed every five years. Prices were set at the price review in 2004 for the 2005 – 2010. This current price review (PR09) covers
the five years from April 2010.
Planning Gain Supplement Obligations – the planning gain supplement is a proposed mechanism by which landowners or
land developers will contribute to off site infrastructure.
Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) – these documents set out the Government’s
national policies on different aspect of planning. The policies in these statements apply throughout England and focus on
procedural policy and the process of preparing local development documents.
Receiving water – watercourse, river, estuary or coastal water into which the outfall from Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO),
Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), surface water or other sewer discharges.
Regional Assembly – each of the English regions outside of London has a regional chamber that the regions generally call
Regional Assemblies (not to be confused with the term Elected Regional Assemblies). They are responsible for developing and
co-ordinating a strategic vision for improving the quality of life in a region. The assembly is responsible for setting priorities and
preparing certain regional strategies, including the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Regional Development Agency – the nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) set up in the English regions are nondepartmental public bodies. Their primary role is as a strategic driver of regional economic development in their region.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – a broad development strategy for a region for a 15 to 20 year period prepared by the
Regional Planning Body. The RSS informs the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDDs) and Local Transport Plans
(LTPs).
Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme (RSAP) – An Environment Agency led programme which identifies abstraction
licences which are unsustainable. The RSAP reviews these licences with the purpose of rectifying the problems by reducing the
volume extracted, altering licence conditions, or relocating abstraction points.
River Ecosystem class (RE) – A river classification system applied in England and Wales which uses a six-fold classification
(five RE classes and an unclassified level for the very polluted rivers). This classification reflects the chemical status of the water,
as an indication of the general health of the water.
River Quality Objective (RQO) – agreed by Government as targets for all rivers in England and Wales when the water industry
was privatised in 1989. The targets specify the water quality needed in rivers if we are to be able to rely on them for water
supplies, recreation and conservation.
RQP – Environment Agency River Quality Planning Software used to help setting consents from WwTW
S106 – a legal agreement under section 106 of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. Section 106 agreements are legal
agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that
certain extra works related to a development are undertaken.
Sequential test - A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types or locations of land before others.
For example, brownfield land before greenfield sites and town centres before out of centre. A requirement of PPS25 when
assessing potential development sites for flood risk.
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Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) - A local authority led plan, which assesses the risks associated with coastal processes
and presents a policy framework to reduce these risks in a sustainable manner through flood and coastal erosion management
strategies.
Significant Water Management Issues Report (SWMI) - A document required under the Water Framework Directive. Article
14 of the EC Water Framework Directive requires the publication of a Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI) Report for
each River Basin District (RBD), at least two years before the beginning of each river basin planning period. A ‘significant issue’
in the context of the Water Framework Directive is an environmental issue that would cause failure or risk of failure to meet the
Directive’s objectives.
SIMCAT – catchment based water quality model developed by the Environment Agency.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – a site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) as an area of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, geological or
physiographical features (basically, plants, animals, and natural features relating to the Earth's structure).
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) – a site designated under the European Community Habitats Directive, to protect
internationally important natural habitats and species.
Special Protection Area (SPA) – sites classified under the European Community Directive on Wild Birds to protect
internationally important bird species.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - SEA is a process designed to ensure that significant environmental effects
arising from proposed plans and programmes are identified, assessed, subjected to public participation, taken into account by
decision-makers, and monitored. SEA sets the framework for future assessment of development projects, some of which
require Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). SEA is carried out according to the requirements of the SEA Directive
2001/42/EC.
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) – an assessment of flood risk from all sources which is used to inform the planning
process of flood risk and provides information on future risk over a wide spatial area. It is also used as a planning tool to
examine the sustainability of the proposed development allocations. SFRAs form the basis of flood risk management in
England and are a requirement of PPS25.
Strategic Water Resources Plan, or statutory water resources management plan – Water companies in England and
Wales have a statutory duty to prepare, consult, publish and maintain a water resources management plan under new sections
of the Water Industry Act 1991, brought in by the Water Act of 2003. Water resource management plans show how the water
companies intend to supply your water over the next 25 years. In doing so, they need to take into account population changes,
climate change and protecting the environment from unnecessary damage caused by taking too much water for use.
Super Output Areas (SOA) – a new national geography created by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for collecting,
aggregating and reporting statistics.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) - supplementary planning documents can give further context and detail to local
development plan policies. It is not part of the statutory development plan. Therefore, it does not have the same weight when
local planning authorities are considering planning applications.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) - the purpose of a Sustainability Appraisal, mandatory under the Planning and Compulsory
Purchase Act 2004, is to promote sustainable development through the integration of social, environmental and economic
considerations into the preparation of revisions of Regional Spatial Strategies and for new or revised Development Plan
Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents. (http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/
sustainabilityenvironmental/sustainabilityappraisalsa/)
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) – Sustainable drainage systems (previously referred to as sustainable urban
drainage systems): a sequence of source control, management practices and control structures designed to drain surface
water in a more sustainable fashion than some conventional techniques (may also be referred to as SuDS or SDS).
United Kingdom Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) – UKTAG is a partnership of the UK environment and conservation
agencies supporting the implementation of the European Community (EC) Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC).
It also includes partners from the Republic of Ireland.
Urban Pollution Management (UPM) - the UPM procedure, as established in the UPM Manual 1994, seeks to adopt a riskbased approach to assessing and reducing the impact of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) on receiving water quality.
Urban Regeneration Company – a dedicated body through which different people combine to co-ordinate the delivery of
urban regeneration projects such as major mixed-use developments.
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
Scoping study
Outline study
detailed study
FAQ
Glossary and
sources of
information
Wastewater or Sewage Treatment Works (WWTW or STW) – Water services infrastructure that receives waste water effluent
from the sewer network. A wastewater treatment work uses a combination of physical, biological and chemical processes to
remove pollutants from the sewage before discharging the treated effluent to the water environment.
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND) - WaND is a large multi-institution research consortium led by the
University of Exeter. The aim of the project is to support the delivery of integrated, sustainable water management for new
developments by provision of tools and guidelines for project design, implementation and management.
Water Framework Directive (WFD) – a European Union directive which commits member states to making all water bodies
(surface, estuarine and groundwater) of good qualitative and quantitative status by 2015.
Water neutrality - If a development is to be ‘water neutral’ then the total demand for water should be the same after the new
development is built, as it was before. That is, the new demand for water should be offset in the existing community by making
existing homes and buildings in the area more water efficient. (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/
publications/40737.aspx)
Water Quality objectives - The Environment Agency regulate river quality in England and Wales by assessing compliance
against water quality objectives. Most of the objectives or standards (for example those concerning bathing waters, habitats,
shellfish and freshwater fish) support the requirements of European Directives. Others, like River Quality Objectives, stem from
special requirements in England and Wales.
Water resource zone – a geographical area defined by the water supply/demand balance in the region such that all customers
within it receive the same level of service in terms of reliability of water supply.
Water stress - Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when
poor quality restricts its use. Water stress causes deterioration of freshwater resources in terms of quantity (e.g. aquifer overexploitation or dry rivers) and quality (eutrophication, organic matter pollution, and saline intrusion).
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Water cycle study data sources
This section is split into three sections. Click on the links below to go directly to each section:
Development requirements and population figures
Environmental capacity sources of information
Infrastructure capacity sources of information
Development requirements and population figures
Super Output Areas (SOA) – a new national geography created by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for collecting,
aggregating and reporting statistics (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/soa.asp).
Census 2001 profiles - a selection of interesting and frequently requested indicators from the 2001 Census, based on data
released on or before 13 February 2003. Contain local statistics for population, health, work, housing, occupancy rates and
some others
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/census2001.asp).
Methods of estimating population and household projections - this report provides information on official data sources and
outlines various methods for apportioning administrative data to create smaller geographic areas. It comments on the
accuracy and integrity of different forecast methodologies, under different circumstances and different needs (http://
www.communities.gov.uk).
Department of Communities and Local Government's (DCLG) live housing statistics tables – contain data, specially chosen
and collected from a variety of sources such as administrative returns from local authorities, Communities and Local
Government and external surveys and other government departments. The tables present the latest available summary or
detailed data relating to a housing statistics topic (http://www.communities.gov.uk).
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) - a broad development strategy for a region for a 15 to 20 year period prepared by the
Regional Planning Body. RSS can be found on the regional government websites.
Local Planning Authority (LPA) data - annual monitoring reports, deposit local plan, developing the Core Strategy. To obtain
this information contact the local planning authority, or data may be available via Planning portal (http://
www.planningportal.gov.uk).
Local Development Vehicle (LDV) data – partnership which bring the public and private sectors together to deliver largescale economic and environmental improvement. The LDV may have development projections that need to be taken into
account as part of the WCS.
Environmental capacity assessment—Water resources
Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) - The Environment Agency carry out a strategic assessment of the
water resources of all catchments in England and Wales. This assesses how much water can be extracted to meet
demands for agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply, while leaving enough water in the environment to meet
ecological needs. The aim is to identify where water is, or is not, available for further abstraction.
Once the water resources in the catchment have been assessed the Environment Agency produce a licensing policy
(management framework) for the CAMS area to manage the resources for the next six years. The policy enables further
water to be extracted where it is sustainable to do so and prevents further water removal in areas that are already showing
the strain. The CAMS process also implements the restoring sustainable abstraction initiative.
Water company water resources management plan
It is now a statutory duty for water companies to prepare, consult, publish and maintain a water resources management plan
under new sections of the Water Industry Act 1991, brought in by the Water Act of 2003. This plan is kept under yearly
review. More information on this process and previous review reports are available at the link below.
How do I carry out a water cycle study?
What is water
cycle planning?
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Glossary and
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The Environment Agency are responsible for co-ordinating the process and analysing the plans, and act as an advisor to
Ministers. Water companies are currently in their initial consultation phase, and will begin preparing their draft plans soon. All
draft plans must be submitted to the Secretary of State by the 31st March 2008.
In April 2007, The Environment Agency published their water resources planning guideline. This document
provides guidance for water companies to follow when preparing their plans.
Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme (RSA) - identifies abstraction licences causing problems to important
conservation designation. The programme reviews these licences with the purpose of rectifying the problems by reducing
the volume extracted, altering licence conditions, and relocating abstraction points.
Water resource zones – defined by the water supply/demand balance in the region such that all customers within it receive
the same level of service in terms of reliability of water supply.
Water metering in areas of water stress consultation (Defra, Jan 2007) - this consultation paper seeks views on proposals to
extend opportunities for metering in areas of England subject to serious water stress (http://www.defra.gov.uk).
Consultation on areas of water stress (Jan 2007, EA) - this consultation paper invites views from individuals and
organisations on proposals to classify areas of England according to their relative level of water stress (http://
www.environment-agency.gov.uk).
Environmental capacity assessment - Groundwater protection
GIS data on soil and geological conditions - provides an indication of where drainage through infiltration to groundwater
might be successful or where conditions are such that infiltration (other than perhaps very localised, small scale drainage) is
unlikely to be feasible.
Source Protection Zones (SPZs) – The Environment Agency has defined Source Protection Zones (SPZs) for 2000
groundwater sources such as wells, boreholes and springs used for public drinking water supply. These zones show the risk
of contamination from any activities that might cause pollution in the area. The maps show three main zones (inner, outer
and total catchment) and a fourth zone of special interest, which is occasionally applied to a groundwater source.
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/maps/info/groundwater/?version=1&lang=_e)
Groundwater Protection: policy and practice (Environment Agency, 2006) - describes Environment Agency aims and
objectives for groundwater, technical approach to its management and protection, the tools to use, and the policies and
approach to the application of legislation. The document also provides a route map to other policies, strategies, procedures
and technical resources related to groundwater (http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO1006BLMW-ee.pdf).
Underground, under threat. The state of groundwater in England and Wales, (Environment Agency, 2006) - outlines the
uses of groundwater as a water resource and the risks to this resource from pollution and over exploitation (http://
publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0906BLDB-e-e.pdf).
The Groundwater Regulations 1998. Statutory Instrument 1998. No 2746: Environmental Protection - Statutory Instrument
that implements the requirements of the EC Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC) into English, Welsh and Scottish Law.
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1998/19982746.htm)
Environmental capacity assessment - Flood risk management
Environment Agency flood maps - maps produced by the Environment Agency providing an indication of the likelihood of
flooding from the rivers and the sea in England and Wales. (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk).Catchment Flood
Management Plan (CFMP) – a strategic plan through which the Environmental Agency will seek to work with other key
decision-makers within a river catchment to identify and agree policies for sustainable flood risk management. A catchment
flood management plan will have high level policies for flood risk and drainage management that must be followed by a
water cycle study.
Regional Flood Risk Appraisals (RFRA) – provides a broad overview of flood risk issues across a region. They should
influence spatial allocations for growth in housing and employment as well as identify where flood risk management
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measures may be required at a regional level to support the proposed growth. These are carried out prior to, and used to
inform the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA) – a document that informs the planning process of flood risk and provides
information on future risk over a planning authority(ies) administrative boundary. It is also used as a planning tool to
examine the sustainability of the proposed development allocations. PPS25 – development and flood risk – advises how an
SFRA should be carried out. An SFRA may be part of a water cycle study, or may be complementary to the WCS.
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) provide a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and
present a long term policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in
a sustainable manner. An SMP is a high level document that forms an important element of the strategy for flood and coastal
erosion risk management. Coastal groups, made up primarily of coastal district authorities and other bodies with coastal
defence responsibilities, provide a forum for discussion and co-operation and play an important part in the development of
SMPs for their area (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/guidance/smp.htm).
Planning Policy Statement 25 – development and flood risk - Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) sets out Government
policy on development and flood risk. It's aims are to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning
process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of
highest risk. Where new development is, exceptionally, necessary in such areas, policy aims to make it safe, without
increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, reducing flood risk overall.
Designing for exceedance - This guidance aims to provide best practice advice for the design and management of urban
sewerage and drainage systems to reduce the impacts that arise when flows occur that exceed their capacity. It includes
information on the effective design of both underground systems and overland flood conveyance. It also provides advice on
risk assessment procedures and planning to reduce the impacts that extreme events may have on people and property
within the surrounding area. The broad objective of the guidance is to improve engineers, planners and designers
appreciation of the risks associated with urban drainage systems and their understanding of how these risks may be
mitigated. (www.ciria.org)
Interim Code of Practice for SuDS – document produced by CIRIA, which aims to facilitate the implementation of
sustainable drainage in developments in England and Wales by providing model maintenance agreements and advice on
their use. It provides a set of agreements between those public organisations with statutory or regulatory responsibilities
relating to SuDS (http://www.ciria.org/suds).
SuDS Manual – document produced by CIRIA, which provides best practice guidance on the planning, design, construction,
operation and maintenance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to facilitate their effective implementation within
developments (http://www.ciria.org/suds/).
Environmental capacity assessment - Wastewater and water quality
Strategic direction statement - A water company’s strategic direction statement, should set out for it’s customers, regulators
and other stakeholders the direction of travel over the long term – say 25 years hence. The strategy will set out the water
company’s vision clearly and show how it delivers for their customers and the environment Each water company published
a strategic direction statement in early 2008.
Urban pollution modelling studies - In areas where the drainage system is comprised of combined or partially separate
sewers, there may be storm sewer or combined sewer overflows in the catchment which discharge untreated storm sewage
into rivers during rainfall events. These storm overflows exist to protect houses connected to the system from foul flooding
during periods of high flows in sewer systems. However, if they operate too frequently, or operate in dry weather they can
have a negative impact on the ecology of the river they discharge into. Where storm discharges are having a negative
impact an Urban Pollution Management (UPM) Study may be required as part of the water cycle study. The requirement for
a UPM should be identified as part of a scoping study.
Environment Agency River quality objectives (RQO) - agreed by Government as targets for all rivers in England and Wales
when the water industry was privatised in 1989. The targets specify the water quality needed in rivers if we are to be able to
rely on them for water supplies, recreation and conservation (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk).
Environment Agency General Quality Assessment - the Agency's method for classifying the water quality of rivers and
canals is known as the General Quality Assessment scheme (GQA). It is designed to provide an accurate and consistent
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assessment of the state of water quality and changes in this state over time.
UKTAG water framework directive standards - United Kingdom Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) supporting the
implementation of the European Community (EC) Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC). It is a partnership of
the UK environment and conservation agencies. It also includes partners from the Republic of Ireland (http://www.wfduk.org).
River Basin Management Plans
Environmental capacity assessment - Biodiversity and nature conservation
Habitats Directive designations
As people make increasing demands on the environment our wildlife habitats are coming under more and more pressure. The
Habitats Directive recognises this and aims to protect the wild plants, animals and habitats that make up our diverse natural
environment. Habitats directive conservation designations are available from Natural England or the Environment Agency,
and can be viewed on www.magic.gov.uk
A water cycle study should ensure that any proposed development protects and enhances all important conservation
features, not just those protected by statutory designations. If future urban development leads to the loss of habitat,
appropriate environmental mitigation must be provided.
Conservation designations - The Environment Agency and Natural England maintain a comprehensive database of
conservation sites of national and local importance. In addition, local authorities and local wildlife trusts may be able to
provide more detailed local information on specific local designations.
Water cycle studies can help increase biodiversity by ensuring that habitat features are built into urban design at an early
stage. For example, good urban design can create combined flood storage features and biodiverse environments on a river
corridor within a proposed urban area. See www.magic.gov.uk for more information.
Environmental capacity assessment - Green infrastructure planning
Planning Sustainable Communities: A Green Infrastructure Guide for Milton Keynes & the South Midlands - the Milton Keynes
& South Midlands Environment & Quality of Life (EQOL) Sub Group has been set up to put together principles and standards
to ensure consistency and co-ordination in the delivery of environment and quality of life initiatives across the MKSM SubRegion (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk).
The Ecosystems approach action plan forms the basis for a more strategic approach to policy-making and delivery on the
natural environment, reflecting the latest thinking among scientists and policy-makers, both domestically and internationally.
The ecosystems approach is one method for ensuring that infrastructure provision is as sustainable as possible.
Infrastructure capacity - Water resources and water supply
Water company water resources management plan
It is now a statutory duty for water companies to prepare, consult, publish and maintain a water resources management plan
under new sections of the Water Industry Act 1991, brought in by the Water Act of 2003. This plan is kept under yearly review.
More information on this process and previous review reports are available at the link below.
The Environment Agency are responsible for co-ordinating the process and analysing the plans, and act as an advisor to
Ministers. Water companies are currently in their initial consultation phase, and will begin preparing their draft plans soon. All
draft plans must be submitted to the Secretary of State by the 31st March 2008.
In April 2007, The Environment Agency published their water resources planning guideline. This document
provides guidance for water companies to follow when preparing their plans.
The water resources management plan will contain the water companies views about how they can manage and control
demand as well as provide more water resource as part of a twin-track approach. However, there may be opportunities in a
WCS for additional demand management that a water company cannot control. Therefore a WCS needs to work with the
water resources management plan to identify what impact the preferred strategy has on the water company water resources
management plan.
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It is the responsibility of the UK water companies to make sure that water supply demands are maintained over a 25 year
planning period. To do this, they conduct a strategic water resources planning process. Sustainability is a major
consideration. The process considers not only the economic implications, but the potential environmental and social effects
of alternative resource developments. A Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) is drawn up, which is verified by both
The Environment Agency and Defra. The companies conduct plans at sub-regional level, in zones called water resources
zone, which are reviewed every five years to coincide with the periodic review process. The Environment Agency also
reviews the plan.
A water resources plan shows how a water company intends to maintain the balance between supply and demand for water
over the next 25 years. The plans are complemented by the water company drought plans, which set out the short-term
operational steps they will take in case of drought.
Water supply infrastructure
Local water supply infrastructure planning by water companies is generally developer led. That is to say that the water
company will provide the services where requested by a developer. A water cycle strategy will enable a more strategic
approach to be taken, by looking at proposed development for the entire study area, and preventing disruptions from
frequent ad-hoc additions to the water supply infrastructure.
Infrastructure capacity - Flood risk management
Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) – A surface water management can be part of a WCS, can be the result of a
WCS, or can be used to inform a WCS.
The new surface water management plan manual, which provides guidance on how to develop surface water management
plans is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/surfacewaterdrainage.htm.
The improving surface water drainage consultation is part of Defra’s ‘Future Water’ strategy. The consultation builds on
Defra’s Integrated Urban Drainage Pilot Studies the 15 projects launched by Defra that test new approaches to reduce the
impact of urban drainage flooding, so that towns and cities across the country are better prepared for the impacts of climate
change (http://www.defra.gov.uk).
Water company drainage area plans - A drainage area plan (DAP), carried out by a water and sewerage company examines
structural condition and hydraulic performance of water company foul and surface water sewers within a defined drainage
area. The area would normally be all of a wastewater treatment works drainage catchment. A DAP where available may
provide detailed information on hydraulic performance and structural condition of existing assets which can be used to carry
out an assessment of the risk of new development on the existing drainage system.
Sea level and coastal erosion - Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) provide a large-scale assessment of the risks
associated with coastal processes and present a long term policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the
developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner. An SMP is a high level document that forms an
important element of the strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management. Coastal groups, made up primarily of
coastal district authorities and other bodies with coastal defence responsibilities, provide a forum for discussion and cooperation and play an important part in the development of SMPs for their area (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/
guidance/smp.htm).
Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) – considers all types of flood risk associated with a development site or area, with any
significant sources of risk subsequently assessed in detail. A FRA should outline the management of the risk to an
acceptable level, considering climate change and addressing any residual risk issues.
Digital elevation maps eg LIDAR/SAR data - Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) airborne mapping technique and Shuttle
Aperture Radar (SAR), used by the Environment Agency to gather topographic information in flood risk areas. Data may be
available from the Environment Agency if they are part of the water cycle partnership. There may be a charge for
commercial use of EA data. (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk).
Digital elevation and digital terrain maps can also be used to map and model potential urban flood risk in proposed
development areas, and used to ensure that urban flooding can be prevented in all but the most extreme weather events.
Designing for exceedance This guidance aims to provide best practice advice for the design and management of urban
sewerage and drainage systems to reduce the impacts that arise when flows occur that exceed their capacity. It includes
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information on the effective design of both underground systems and overland flood conveyance. It also provides advice on
risk assessment procedures and planning to reduce the impacts that extreme events may have on people and property within
the surrounding area. The broad objective of the guidance is to improve engineers, planners and designers appreciation of
the risks associated with urban drainage systems and their understanding of how these risks may be mitigated
(www.ciria.org).
Interim Code of Practice for SuDS – document produced by CIRIA, which aims to facilitate the implementation of sustainable
drainage in developments in England and Wales by providing model maintenance agreements and advice on their use. It
provides a set of agreements between those public organisations with statutory or regulatory responsibilities relating to SuDS
(http://www.ciria.org/suds).
SuDS Manual – document produced by CIRIA on behalf of the National SuDS Working Group (NSWG), which provides best
practice guidance on the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of Sustainable Drainage Systems
(SuDS) to facilitate their effective implementation within developments (http://www.ciria.org/suds/).
Infrastructure capacity - Wastewater and water quality
Water company strategic wastewater capacity assessments – Water companies may have a strategic capacity assessment of
their assets which can be used to inform the WCS. It would be expected that a water company would share this information
with a water cycle partnership to help understand existing capacity. See strategic direction statements for supporting
information.
Foul flood alleviation schemes - Water companies are required as part of their asset management plan to plan and carry out
engineering schemes to regulated standards if properties have been subjected to internal foul flooding. The occurrence of
foul flooding in a sewerage catchment can be indicative of a lack of drainage capacity, and a water company would be
expected to provide details of flood alleviation schemes, and of foul risk from their drainage systems as part of an integrated
water cycle study or surface water management plan.
Water company drainage area plans - A drainage area plan, carried out by a water and sewerage company examines
structural condition and hydraulic performance of water company foul and surface water sewers within a defined drainage
area. The area would normally be all of a wastewater treatment works drainage catchment. A DAP where carried out may
provide detailed information on hydraulic performance and structural condition of existing assets which can be used to carry
out an assessment of the risk of new development on the existing drainage system.
A verified hydraulic model of the foul sewer system will normally be required as part of the DAP. This detailed hydraulic
model can be used to identify those areas that will be at risk of foul flooding because of future development in the catchment
or because of changing rainfall patterns under climate change scenarios.
WWTW process audit/capacity assessments - The capacity of a treatment works to remove pollutants from wastewater and
discharge high quality treated effluent to river or sea is finite for any given design of works. If the works serves a greater
population or wastewater flow than it was designed for, it can cause effluent quality to deteriorate and cause environmental
deterioration. Water companies understand what capacity they have at their WWTW assets, and would be expected to be
able to advise a WCS when this capacity will be breached, and what plans they have to upgrade the WWTW. A WCS can
then work with the WCS to determine how best to improve the WWTW to cope with additional planned population growth.
Water company sewerage drainage area boundaries - Water companies will have GIS or other digital boundaries of their
WWTW drainage catchments. These can be used to identify what WwTWs proposed developments would be likely to drain
to, and hence where additional capacity, or new wastewater treatment works may be needed.
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Glossary and
sources of
information
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND)
Introduction
What is a water cycle
study?
Water cycle
planning policy
Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND) Practical Guidance – produced by
CIRIA, draws on over four years of academic research aimed at supporting the delivery of
sustainable and integrated water management solutions for new developments, by providing
tools and guidelines for project design, implementation and management.
Why is a water cycle
study needed?
The guidance document is aimed at developers, planners, government, regulators and water
utilities and will be published in Spring 2009.
How do we make
development
sustainable?
There are also a number of tools that help determine what the most sustainable options for
development are. At the time this guidance was published, these tools were not available
online. However, the tools are publicly available. The link above has contact details for the
WaND partners.
What is the water
cycle?
When is a water cycle
study needed?
Integration with other
plans and policies
OTHER SECTIONS
1. WHAT IS WATER
CYCLE PLANNING?
2. HOW DO I CARRY
OUT A WCS?
3. SUPPORTING
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
4. FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ)
5. CASE STUDIES &
TOOLS
6. DATA SOURCES
7. GLOSSARY
Further information
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