B5: Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria

Short Description

This indicator shows changes in the percentage of surface waters (rivers, lakes, reservoirs and estuaries) and groundwater (including wetlands fed by groundwater) where sustainable abstraction criteria are met. River flows and groundwater levels are sustainable when they support ecology that is only slightly impacted by human activity. The indicator is affected by changes in water use, both in relation to leakage and personal consumption (see E8 Efficient use of water). This indicator is also sensitive to effects of future climate change on rainfall and consumption and shows the need for adaptation.

Readiness and links to data

Data on the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (the WFD regulations) Cycle 2 site classifications are available for both surface and ground water bodies on the England Catchment Data Explorer. WFD Cycle 2 site classifications for surface water bodies and WFD Cycle 2 site classifications for ground water bodies are also published as part of the WFD Regulations and the Abstraction Reform Report 2019.

Notes on indicator

There are no new data to report for this indicator in 2020 or 2021 because of a shift from annual to triennial reporting. In future years there will be a change to the data provision for this indicator through new surveillance networks as part of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme, and results will continue to be reported every three years.

Indicator components

Figure B5: Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria

Source: Environment Agency
Unit of Measurement: Percentage of water bodies

Download CSV Download Figure Image

Table B5: Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria

Year	Groundwater	Surface water
2017	72	82
2018	72	84
2019	73	85
2022	73	85

Source: Environment Agency
Unit of Measurement: Percentage of water bodies

Download CSV

Trend description for B5

Latest data (2022), show 85% of surface water bodies supported required flow thresholds and 73% of groundwater bodies were sustainable. Both these results remain unchanged from the equivalent figures reported in 2019. In 2017, when the timeseries began, 82% of surface water bodies supported required flow thresholds and 72% of groundwater bodies were sustainable.

Assessment of change

Change since 2018 has been assessed. Percentage of ground and surface water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria has improved, although there has been little or no net change in the percentage of surface water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria seen between 2019 to 2022.

Indicator Metadata

Headline indicator status: Water and water environment
Primary goal in the 25 Year Environment Plan: Clean and plentiful water
Relevant goal(s) in the 25 Year Environment Plan: Clean and plentiful water; Thriving plants and wildlife
Relevant target(s) in the 25 Year Environment Plan: Reducing the damaging abstraction of water from rivers and groundwater, ensuring that by 2021 the proportion of water bodies with enough water to support environmental standards increases from 82% to 90% for surface water bodies and from 72% to 77% for groundwater bodies; Restoring 75% of our one million hectares of terrestrial and freshwater protected sites to favourable condition, securing their wildlife value for the long term
Position in the natural capital framework: Condition of assets - freshwater
Related reporting commitments: Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017; Relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 6.4.2; May support Climate Change Risk Assessment and the Adaptation Sub-Committee’s assessment of the National Adaptation Programme, under the Climate Change Act (2008)
Geographical Scope: England
Status of indicator development: Final
First Reported: 2020
Last Updated: 2023
Latest Data: 2022