CLIMATE-CHANGE AND WATER-RESOURCES IN BRITAIN

This paper explores the potential implications of climate change for t he use and management of water resources in Britain. It is based on a review of simulations of changes in river hows, groundwater recharge a nd river water quality. These simulations imply, under feasible climat e change scenarios, that annual, winter and summer runoff will decreas e in southern Britain, groundwater recharge will be reduced and that w ater quality - as characterised by nitrate concentrations and dissolve d oxygen contents - will deteriorate. In northern Britain, river flows are likely to increase throughout the year, particularly in winter. C limate change may lead to increased demands for water, over and above that increase which is forecast for non-climatic reasons, primarily du e to increased use for garden watering. These increased pressures on t he water resource base will impact not only upon the reliability of wa ter supplies, but also upon navigation, aquatic ecosystems, recreation and power generation, and will have implications for water quality ma nagement. Flood risk is likely to increase, implying a reduction in st andards of flood protection. The paper discusses adaptation options.