This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Water abstraction controls research
11/10/2002
Scottish businesses are already using water in a more
sustainable manner, according to research published today
by the Scottish Executive.
The research into the economic impact of tighter
controls on water abstraction highlights steps already
being taken by industries such as chemicals, maltsters,
food processing and metal manufacturing to reduce the
amount of water they take from the environment.
The controls, to be introduced under the
Water Environment and Water Services Bill, are intended
to help to protect Scotland's water environment whilst
balancing the interests of those who depend on it for their
livelihoods.
In particular abstraction controls will ensure we can
effectively manage the quantity of water in our rivers,
lochs and groundwaters for the first time.
The Executive has proposed that the controls be phased
in from 2005 onwards.
Research carried out by independent consultants looks at
the potential costs to high and medium water users in
Scotland.
Costs will depend on the sensitivity of the business to
water costs, the type of water supply used by the business,
and for abstracting businesses the sensitivity of the
catchment in question.
Final costs will depend on the detail of the licensing
regime to be introduced following consultation with
businesses and other key interest groups. Costs will also
depend upon the environmental objective set for each body
of water under the Bill.
Those objectives will be established through a
participatory planning process and will take account of the
flexibilities provided for under the Water Framework
Directive.
The research was conducted by CJC Consulting, with the
Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen.
The
Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill
commits Ministers to extensive consultation on the
regulatory regime that will be introduced to control water
abstraction.