Water Cycle Study - Bracknell Forest
We carried out a Water Cycle Study for Bracknell Forest Council in order to assess the impacts of their planned growth of 12,060 new homes and economic development on the water environment and water and wastewater services.
- Client: Bracknell Forest Council
- Location: Bracknell Forest, Berkshire
- Services
Challenge
Local Planning Authorities in England are required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to demonstrate that planned development will be sustainable for its lifetime and that there will be no deterioration caused to water bodies, in line with the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
This study aimed to take a proactive approach, identifying where potential negative impacts would need to be mitigated and considering how the impacts of new developments could be reduced through site selection and water-sensitive design.
Solution
Two Water Cycle Study phases were prepared in line with Environment Agency guidance. Firstly, a rapid scoping assessment was prepared, based primarily on existing information. This led to an outline study which included assessments of all aspects of the water cycle.
Water and wastewater supply and treatment boundaries and river catchments often span across several Local Planning Authority areas. The study involved significant collaboration with neighbouring authorities, as well as water supply and wastewater service providers.
The most significant area of assessment was the water quality assessment. This was carried out using the Environment Agency’s SIMCAT models, which were updated to account for recent changes in flow and pollutant loads and used to assess the impacts of increased effluent discharges on the water environment.
Benefit
The Water Cycle Study provided the evidence base required to demonstrate how water and wastewater services will be developed to meet the Local Planning Authority’s growth plans without causing detriment to the environment. It also helped provide evidence of the tighter Building Regulations standard of designing homes where per capita water demand does not exceed 110 litres per person per day and how this should be applied. The process has also helped to strengthen communications between planners and the water and wastewater companies.
For more information about this project, please contact Paul Eccleston.
Services
Delivering transformative technology that is pioneering in the pursuit of flood, water and environmental resilience.
Find out more
Developing leading resilience strategies and solutions founded on the integrated modelling and assessment of water quantity, quality and environmental processes.
Find out more
Working within a robust and mature digital delivery environment, our engineering specialists work closely with our modelling, hydrology and environmental teams to ensure designs are developed to create efficient, low-carbon and sustainable solutions.
Find out more
Our specialists in landscape, heritage, ecology, fisheries, EIA, planning and sustainability all work collaboratively with our engineering designers, modellers and our project managers to develop resilient places.
Find out more
Our proven skills and experience make us a natural partner to help support communities and organisations to become more resilient. We support and empower our clients to manage the twin risks of flood and drought, encouraging and delivering effective water management.
Find out more
Working with communities across the world to identify and mitigate flood and environmental risks, support sustainable development and build resilience.
Find out more
