People forced to use 20pc less water in the Broads |
Households will have to use 20pc less water in the future under tough new planning policies for housing developments - equivalent to about five loo flushes a day.
Officials want to restrict water usage for new builds to 90 litres per day per person, 20 litres less than is currently allowed.
The River Bure at Horning on the Norfolk Broads. (Image: Newsquest)
The Broads Authority (BA) has proposed the measure following lobbying from water companies in the region, who want more done to protect one of the driest regions in England from future water shortages.
Latest predictions for the east of England showed there could be a 730 million litre deficit of water supply by 2050.
However, the new scheme will mean developers will have to pay about £2,000 more to install more water-efficient plumbing systems to avoid breaking the rules.
The new policy forms part of the BA's Local Plan - a key document that defines how new developments should take place in the Broads - which is currently being reviewed.
Minimum water efficiency standards were introduced by the government in 2010 and require that all new homes use no more than 125 litres per person a day.
But planning authorities such as the BA are urged to impose tougher restrictions in areas affected by water stress.
Ahead of the new Local Plan being submitted to government officials for approval, Anglian Water, Essex and Suffolk Water and the Environment Agency called on the BA to cut water usage.
Anglian Water told the BA: "It is clear that tighter water efficiency standards are necessary for sustainable growth and nature recovery, which supports the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Broads."
New homes will be required to use less water (Image: Newsquest)
HOW WILL IT BE MONITORED?
Developers will have to prove that new developments will meet the 90-litre threshold by using more efficient taps, showers, toilets and other appliances.
Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling - using wastewater from residential sources like showers, baths, sinks, and washing machines - could also be used to cut water usage.
If the developer cannot prove the new home will meet the restrictions, it will be unlikely to gain planning permission.
Existing homeowners in the Broads do not need to worry about making any changes, as they will not be expected to retrofit their new homes to meet the new standards.
The changes will also have implications for tourism businesses such as campsites in the Broads, which will have to impose more water-efficient measures for new toilets, showers and washing-up areas.
Water usage could be restricted in the Broads (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)
The Broads is the biggest wetland area in the country, home to a vast network of rivers and lakes - but it is also considered to be an area at high risk of future water shortages.
Levels of abstraction, where water is removed to help with tasks such as irrigating farms, continue to put pressure on its river systems.
There are already strict controls on the amount of water that can be removed in parts of the Broads.
Removing too much water risks damaging the environment and health of the ecosystems that thrive in the wetlands.
Anglian Water offers a £500 financial sweetener for developers that achieve a water usage of 90 litres per day, per person. Essex and Suffolk Water have a similar scheme.
Ranworth Broad (Image: Mike Page)
At a recent planning committee meeting, BA members endorsed the update to the Local Plan.
However, some members were critical about how water companies have kept up with making improvements to infrastructure.
James Harvey, who is also a South Norfolk Green Party councillor, said: "Given the current climate crisis, this is a good idea.
"But I wish water companies did more to improve infrastructure."
Harry Blathwayt, chairman of the BA, added that he "struggled to see how we can police this" once homes had been built.
Officers said they would be able to monitor water usage in conjunction with water companies.
Following the meeting, the BA will submit its local plan to the Planning Inspectorate -government officials who preside over planning matters - before the changes are confirmed.
Steve and Susan Adkins, who live in Staithe Road, had to use the public toilets in Hickling due to problems with floodwater (Image: Adam Barker)
Water companies may be urging households to flush less.
But in recent years, people living in parts of the Broads haven't been able to use their toilet at all.
For months, people living in Hickling had to run to a nearby public toilet after floodwater put their own toilets out of action.
The problem was caused by flooding in the Autumn of 2023 and continued for several months afterwards.
It left people's toilets backed up, risking causing wastewater to flood their homes if they flushed.
A public toilet, which is close to the Pleasure Boat pub at Hickling Broad, became a lifeline and was nicknamed the "Hickling Hotstep".