About the event

Here in the UK, our limited water supplies are coming under increasing pressure. As our country's population continues to grow, and its climate continues to change, the Environment Agency predicts that demand could exceed supply by as early as 2045.

All of this has serious implications for our chalk streams, which are fed by the same underground aquifer that supplies our household water. The more water we use, the less is left in these rare and precious watercourses. In fact, the Environment Agency predicts that England's rivers could contain 50-80% less water in summertime by 2050.

In this talk, Dr Heather Smith from Cranfield University will explore a potential solution to this pressing problem: water recycling. She will explain how it works in practice, explore how it can be used to tackle water shortages, and examine how public perception could affect its implementation in the UK.

This event is part of Watercress and Winterbournes, a Landscape Partnership Scheme that is protecting, enhancing, and celebrating seven local chalk streams.