Norwich Water Cycle Strategy
Project Introduction
The Greater Norwich area has been earmarked in
regional spatial plans for construction of over 20,000 new homes, a
major addition to the area’s housing stock. In order to
ensure that the water and wastewater infrastructure for the area
has the capacity to cope with the increased population, the Norwich
Development Partnership commissioned Scott Wilson to prepare a
long-term Water Cycle Strategy.
Project Background
Previously, there was an absence of integrated
long-term planning of water infrastructure in relation to growth in
population identified by local and regional plans. This
project will provide a link between two areas, making planning more
effective.
Project Scope
The scope of the Water Cycle Strategy had as
key components:
- The identification of existing capacity
headroom, in terms of treatment and collection/distribution
networks.
- The implications of population growth on
additional demand.
- Identification of optimum locations for new
development, and for additional water infrastructure.
- Implications of the EU Water Framework
Directive and environmental legislation on options for water
abstraction, treatment and disposal.
- Identification of policies and initiatives
which can reduce per capita consumption, e.g. water recycling and
rainwater harvesting.
- Impacts of climate change.
- Identification of opportunities to combine
water infrastructure requirements with ‘green infrastructure’ plans
and flood risk solutions.
- Identification of costs for infrastructure
upgrade and assessment of how this should be funded.
Value Adding Project
Achievements
The outcome of the Water Cycle Strategy will
be incorporated into the development plans of the Greater Norwich
area and the long-term plans of the water utility, Anglian Water,
ensuring that adequate infrastructure is built, and that funding is
provided. This project is one of the first of its kind in the
UK.
