Water is a resource of vital importance to domestic and industrial users and is fundamental to public and environmental wellbeing in Hyndburn.

Deterioration in river water quality can occur due to run-off from wrong connections to the sewerage network, industrial and previously industrial areas, from minewater discharges, from contaminated land run-off or from sewerage discharges.

Surface waters in Hyndburn feed the River Calder, which in turn feeds the River Ribble. A large section of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal also flows through the Hyndburn Borough. There are also numerous reservoirs, of varying capacity, within Hyndburn, many of which are a legacy of former industrial uses.

Water quality monitoring is carried out by the Environment Agency who conduct General Quality Assessment (GQA) of surface waters in the area. The General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme examines stretches of freshwater in terms of their chemical, biological, nutrient and aesthetic qualities. GQA results for the Hyndburn area are shown in the tables below:

Percentage length of river in the Hyndburn area falling within General Quality Assessment (GQA) Categories:

	Good %	Fair %	Poor %	Bad %
Chemistry	35.91	64.09	0	0
Biology	4.53	87.10	8.36	0

Source: Environment Agency, 2002

For further information on the General Quality Assessment scheme click here.

Things that you can do to help in Hyndburn?

         Dispose of rubbish carefully

         Ensure that your washing machines, toilets and sink drainage pipes are correctly connected to the foul water drain

         Do not pour oil, garden pesticides or paint down drains

         Take pride in your local rivers and water environment

Hyndburn Canal Improvement (PROSPECTS) Project

The PROSPECTS Foundation is a community owned charity working for lasting environmental change in Hyndburn. One of the projects initiated is a two-year programme of improvements along the Leeds-Liverpool canal as it passes through Hyndburn.

The scheme will attract more residents and boaters to use this underused resource for leisure and exercise. Since the start of the project in 2000 improvements have included the construction of the Donkey Back Picnic Site and the ‘Halfway Marker’ of the canal. Current works include towpath improvements, installation of seating, information signs, disabled fishing platforms etc.

For details of the Hyndburn Canal Improvement Project and other PROSPECTS projects visit the website:

www.prospectsla21.org.uk/.

Hyndburn Water Resources
 
Approximately 7,800,000 m3 of water is abstracted from Hyndburn's watercourses every year. Reasons for the abstraction of water include public water supply, agricultural use, industrial use etc. Abstraction levels and conditions are monitored closely by the Environment Agency.

The average household water use per person per day (assuming uniform distribution across United Utilities service area) equals 140.3 litres.

Flood Plain and Defences
 
178.04 ha of the district of Hyndburn lies within the Indicative fluvial (river) floodplain. A floodplain is a natural ‘overspill’ area where a river may rise above its banks during a storm event. This floodplain includes all areas that are estimated to face at least a one per cent chance of flooding each year, ignoring the presence of defences.

See the GIS (Geographical Information Systems) based Indicative Fluvial Floodplain map attached which shows illustrates the floodplain in Hyndburn.

If a property is located within a floodplain, this does not mean that it will definitely flood as many other factors come into the equation. The maps are a guide and should prompt people who live near a watercourse to be aware and to find out more.

To find out more about preparing for floods, visit the environment agency webpages by clicking here.

A 24-hour telephone information service, called Floodline, which is operated by the Environment Agency is also available on 0845 988 1188. Operators can provide immediate practical advice on flood risk and what to do before, during and after a flood.

Things that you can do to help in Hyndburn.

         Save water e.g. Put a ‘hippo’ in the lavatory cistern to reduce the amount of water you use.

         Find out whether you are at risk from flooding and draw up a flood plan if you are.

Hyndburn and the Water Framework Directive

The River Ribble basin (which includes Hyndburn) has been singled out as a testing ground for a new piece of European water legislation, the Water Framework Directive. This new directive is designed to improve the quality of the whole water environment. The ‘Ribble Pilot’ will help determine how the Water Framework Directive will be implemented across the UK.

Visit the Water Framework Directive pages by clicking here.