Background
Increased production costs and changes in climate are driving the need to improve water and energy usage efficiency in agriculture.
Hafren Water provides targeted and pragmatic advice in all aspects of water supply, water management and energy related issues. We are therefore well-placed to provide technically sound, appropriate and informed advice to farmers, producers and land owners.
Services
Water Supply
Increasing demand upon water resources is occurring against a backdrop of changes in legislation and implementation of new regulatory policies.
Changes in the way water resources are assessed is increasing pressure on water abstractors and users with the tightening of effluent discharge consents, time limitation of abstraction licences, etc.
Advice can be provided to increase water use efficiency, reduce costs and ensure a secure and reliable water supply. Services include the following:
Waterwell design and preparation of drilling specifications- Liaison with the Environment Agency on water-related regulatory matters
- Surface water resource assessment
Impact assessment of development on water supplies and springs
Hafren Water advises on protection of water resources, a component of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
Hafren Water successfully appealed against the designation (2009) of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). Work was undertaken both for individual farmers and collaboratively, over larger areas to reduce costs.
Water quality data was assessed which demonstrated that the elevated nitrate and flow was primarily a result of sewage treatment discharges.
A 100% success rate was achieved for the cases on the River Kemp and River Severn, saving the farmers significant investment on slurry containment and record keeping costs.
Hafren Water is well-placed to assist in appeals against future NVZ designations.
Groundwater risk assessments
Groundwater risk assessments are regularly undertaken for environmental permits covering effluent discharge and landfill.
Water Audits
To reduce costs and improve water use efficiency Hafren Water undertakes water-use audits. The audit process involves assessment of current water usage through data collation and a site visit. Potential cost savings are identified and information provided for alternative water sources and water-saving technologies. Audits are tailored to individual requirements and may involve the following:
- Assessment of water bills to ensure correct charges are being applied
- Site visit to determine current water usage
- Identification of water leakages
- Advice on water recycling systems
- Advice on installation of rain-water harvesting and alternative water supplies
- Provision of information on potential capital investment and pay-back periods
Irrigation
Crop irrigation draws upon both water and energy resources. It is therefore essential to ensure the optimum water application is achieved for the lowest cost. Hafren Water advises an optimisation of existing surface water and groundwater abstractions and utilisation of storage reservoirs.
Renewable energy
Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and hydro-electric power (HEP) provide a clean and sustainable means of heating buildings and generating electricity. The implementation of the government's Renewable Heat Incentive will greatly increase the cost effectiveness of these systems.
Hafren Water offers a two stage service for design and installation: an energy assessment and feasibility study would be undertaken in the initial stage. The assessment will gauge the suitability of the proposed renewable energy source and provide information on potential energy generation, carbon savings, capital costs, pay-back periods, grants and funding available. A detailed system design is then undertaken at stage two.
Installation of a renewable energy system significantly reduces carbon emissions and can be eligible for the Agricultural Carbon Reduction and Efficiency Scheme (ACRES).
Hydro-ecology
The creation of water-supported habitat is an important environmental resource and may be eligible for funding.
Hafren Water advises on the creation of water-based habitat.
Flood Risk Assessments
Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) are required for developments located within Flood Zones 2 or 3, as designated by the Environment Agency. FRAs are also required for new developments greater than 1 hectare in size. The FRA process is proscribed and differs throughout the constituent countries of the UK. The assessment identifies the consequences of proposed development in relation to run-off and flooding risk.
Flood management is also a component of Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
FRAs are regularly undertaken by Hafren Water, primarily to support planning applications for proposed developments, such as large broiler units. Qualitative and quantitative risk assessments are undertaken to assess:
- The risk of flooding at a site.
- The impact of a development on floodwaters.
- The risk of increasing flooding elsewhere.
- The impact of storm water management at a site.
- Mitigation options for reducing flood risk to and from a site and managing storm water run-off.
- Feasibility assessment of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).
Sustainable Drainage Systems
Water management assessment is now a requirement of many sustainable building codes and agri-environmental schemes, such as ELS.
Hafren Water is able to assess all aspects of site water management including storm water management and mitigation options for reducing flood risk. Feasibility assessments and design of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) are undertaken including soakaway systems, flow balancing and storage.
Recent Clients
Roger Parry & Partners
Berry Brothers
Westfield Farm, Somerset
Wern Farm, Powys
Ceunant Farm, Powys
Contacts
Agriculture & Horticulture
Sarah Belton
Hydrogeologist
Renewable Energy
Paul Ellis
Technical Manager & Senior Hydrogeologist
Flood Risk Assessments
Gareth Mayle
Hydrologist
![Email Address: info [at] hafrenwater.com](/CFFileServlet/_cf_image/_cfimg2340132482681293025.png "Email Address: info [at] hafrenwater.com")