Ms Mary Gurrie:

I will answer that as best I can, although it is very technical. Abstraction takes account of the flow and the change of flow. The question about hot weather and where to abstract relates to temporary abstractions. On the wider issue of maintenance of rivers, there are different views. Dredging can have significant negative impacts on rivers. In general, the more natural they are, the better, but that is not the reality of systems. Hydromorphology concerns the natural flow, processes and ecosystems, and it is an area under attention at the requirement of the water framework directive. Much work is being done. The EPA is examining the evidence base of what needs to happen, and while I do not want to speak for the Department, work is under way to examine the different control systems in place for different types of works on rivers that change the natural processes of rivers-----