Decision Details

Motion D

Proposer: Cllr Parsons

This Council notes

1. The findings of the local plan Water Cycle Study that the Essex South Water Resource Zone which covers Colchester west of the Colne and the surrounding rural areas “is predicted to go into supply deficit by 2025 if no water resource interventions are implemented” i.e. be unable to supply the needs of the existing population to acceptable standards; and that “this is predominantly due to growth in demand coupled with a fall in water supply available.”

2. The need for urgent upgrades to sewage treatment capacity and the building of the new water re-use plant in Colchester if more houses are to be built.

3. That failure to address these issues before new houses are built will create serious risks to public health.

4. The Council additionally notes the recent comments of the Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, that the UK as a whole faces running out of clean water and the introduction of water rationing within 10 years unless there is major investment in infrastructure. 

5. In this context, the Council notes that Essex is the most water stressed part of the UK.

The Council therefore resolves:

That the Council should seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government asking the government to ensure that the necessary water and sewage infrastructure is provided so that Colchester can safely deliver the government house-building target.

The motion relates to a non-executive matter and will be debated and determined by Council.