Drought Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord West of Spithead
Main Page: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord West of Spithead's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(12 years, 9 months ago)
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Lord Taylor of Holbeach
My noble friend anticipates a Question on the Order Paper about a national grid for water. Of course, all those matters have been considered by this and other Governments. It has been found that the interconnectivity of water systems is far more cost-effective than building a mainline grid. Water is extremely energy-expensive to pump around. Unfortunately, it does not naturally flow from the north of England to the south-east.
Lord West of Spithead
My Lords, on that point, has much work been done on the use of operational and non-operational canals to assist in that transfer?
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Yes, it has, and to a limited extent they can be used in the interconnectivity projects between water companies. The companies are sharing a great deal and have invested considerable amounts. There has been a recent investment in the north-west of England to relieve a drought there by pumping water from Wales.