Our Wild Water - Lakes, Ponds, Watercourses and Wetlands .The unusually dry summer of 2022 across the whole of Europe witnessed the drying up of ponds, streams, ditches and wetland areas in and around Betchworth and Buckland with detrimental impacts on the plants and animals that depend on these natural sources of water. According to the SES rainfall monitoring station in Redhill, we have had significantly less than average rainfall in 7 out of the first 11 months of 2022. Only November has significantly exceeded the average
Like so many other aspects of our environment we need to do more to conserve and optimise the use of this precious resource not just for ourselves but also for the plants and animals that depend on it. RE-Betchworth’s work plan includes action for water. Our first concern is for the water that nature provides in our river, streams, ponds and ditches – our “wild water”. The question we are asking is: what more can we do to protect, conserve and expand this precious resource, and make more effective and productive use of the water that nature provides? Our second concern is for the water that is provided to our homes through SES Water. Each person in the SES supply area uses around 150 litres of water a day at home – that’s 20 litres higher than the national average. So the question we are asking is: what more can we do to reduce our household consumption and make more effective use of the water we consume by storing and reusing it? As an initial step towards developing a water conservation and regeneration strategy we are creating an inventory of the lakes, ponds, watercourses and wetlands in the parishes of Betchworth and Buckland. This will take the form of a series of maps of the natural and man made lakes, ponds, watercourses and transient wetland areas in and around our villages. INVENTORY OF PONDS & LAKES
Our hope is that during the early part of 2023 we will, as a community, be able to create more small garden ponds and regenerate existing ponds that have become silted and overgrown. In this way we might seek to enhance our environment and increase biodiversity for the plants and animals that depend on these watery habitats.
MAKING A GARDEN POND During the final stage of our project we hope to engage in a community pond or wetland restoration or creation project if we can find a suitable site for development. If any of these ideas are of interest to you and you would like to participate in one or more of the activities suggested above please do not hesitate to get in touch. We welcome your involvement please do get in touch if you would like to join us in creating new ponds, watercourses or wetland areas in your garden. Norman normanjjackson@btinternet,com |
Our Domestic Water : Preparing for the Next Dry Summer The summer of 2022 has made us realise more than ever that we need to look after our water and make better use of the water we have – whether it is mains supply, rainfall or groundwater. Over the next 12 months RE-B will provide opportunities to learn about how we might develop better habits for consuming and using water in our homes, gardens and allotments. Our activities will include:
We welcome your involvement please do get in touch if you would like to join us in saving and using water more effectively.
Deb [email protected] SES Guide to Saving Water
Get Water Fit - learn how you can save water click here GetWaterFit. helps SES customers think about how much water they use and which areas they could target for reducing consumption. Mains to Rains
The Royal Horticultural Society 'Mains to Rains' project provides excellent guidance on how we might make better use of our rainfall in our gardens. MAINS TO RAINS ADVICE |
Making Better Use of Our Water : Preparing for the Next Dry Summer
Rob Baldry
Rob Baldry (Water Quality Science Manager at SES) helps us develop a better understanding of our local water resources and how we might play a more active role in reducing consumption and reusing our water in our homes and gardens.
Rob Baldry
Rob Baldry (Water Quality Science Manager at SES) helps us develop a better understanding of our local water resources and how we might play a more active role in reducing consumption and reusing our water in our homes and gardens.
Some of Betchworth and Buckland's many ponds