Our policies, plans and strategies - EN5 Harborough District Watercycle Study 2015

In order to understand the impact that development has on water demand and management, it is helpful to consider the full water cycle. The water cycle includes natural and man made processes and systems that are involved in the collection, storage or transportation of water in the environment.  

This approach helps to identify where the key issues and opportunities arise, not only for effective water supply and treatment infrastructure, but also for natural processes such as rivers and groundwater. It is particularly important to recognise the environmental services that are delivered by natural processes and to preserve these and improve them wherever possible.

The objectives of the Water Cycle Study are:

• To undertake a review of current infrastructure capacity and existing water cycle processes
• Provide a clear understanding of the key issues for the suggested Options for the emerging local plan and inform the selection of a preferred option.
• To recommend any necessary flood risk and environmental infrastructure to accommodate planned growth.

The Water Cycle study will follow guidance from the Environment Agency and produce an outline study, highlighting environmental constraints, infrastructure constraints and sustainability issues. The more detailed information on when infrastructure is needed and how it will be funded will depend upon the preferred option, once that is identified, and be covered by detailed viability work.

Harborough District Watercycle Study 2015