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South East River Basin District |
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About South East River Basin DistrictImages of the water environment in the south east - Hampshire, East Sussex, West Sussex and south and east Kent.  This area - the South East River Basin District - will have a river basin management plan under the Water Framework Directive - meaning a better quality, more sustainable environment for all. We can all do something to improve our waters for the benefit of people and wildlife. The environment of the South East River Basin District is very special. The South Downs, the White Cliffs, the Solent and the New Forest draw visitors from all over the world. More than 3.1 million people live here, and there are major urban centres at Brighton and Hove, Southampton and Portsmouth. Figure 1 shows the river basin district and its catchments. This landscape supports a wealth of wildlife, some of it within protected areas. For example Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas with wetland features cover some nine per cent of the river basin district. In recent years otter populations have begun to expand and rivers such as the Test and the Itchen have wild salmon populations. The natural environment is essential to livelihoods in the South East and helps attract businesses as well as visitors. Retail, health and business services are the largest employment sectors in the river basin district. Nearly two thirds of the land is used for farming, which employs over 25,000 people in vegetable growing, animal husbandry and other activities. But huge challenges remain. Many urban and rural rivers have been modified for flood defence or navigation, often at the expense of ecological quality. The way land is managed has given rise to a host of complex pollution issues. There are also concerns over maintaining the water resources available for people and the environment here. On average, the amount of water available per person is less than for Morocco or Egypt. South East England relies on groundwater for 72 per cent of its public water supply – more than in any other district – yet the aquifers also provide flow for rivers and wetlands. It is therefore essential to safeguard supplies and protect them from pollution. There will be other challenges. Government envisages that over 200,000 new dwellings and associated infrastructure will be built in the river basin district by 2026, along with the development of an Eco-town. And natural forces such as sea level rise, coupled with climate change, are a threat to people, property and coastal habitats. (Taken from the Draft South East River Basin Management Plan.) Administered by James Farrell, River Basin Programme Manager at the Environment Agency. Own work at fpix |
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