Water, a precious resource

We cannot continue to take water for granted. Low river flows in summer are now becoming the norm rather than the exception and winter rains often fail to replenish the aquifers on which the rivers of South Wiltshire depend. As a result the quality of our rivers is in decline with slimy, brown algae coating the river-beds and disrupting the life-cycles of aquatic animals. Low flows also make rivers more vulnerable to pollution.

Rainfall is often enough to keep the grass green so that the threat to the health of our rivers can pass unnoticed; so long as the water comes out of our taps with no restrictions we will continue to watse it. each household uses up to 80 galls. of water a day or more.

To supply the increasing demands of our water-hungry society and the growth in house bulding means ever more abstraction. We all need to reduce water use and help maintain water quality by watching what we put down the drain.