£5billion plan to stop leaks is proposed
A new reservoir could be created in West Sussex to address a looming shortage in water supply.
Six utility companies across the South East have joined forces to produce the firstever regional water resources plan.
The document, prepared by Water Resource South East (WRSE), sets out the action that could be needed to avoid a potential one billion litre per day shortfall in water supplies within the next 15 years.
A consultation launched on Monday shows that by 2040 the combination of climate change, population growth and the need to provide higher levels of protection to the water environment could require investment of around £8billion to avoid water shortages in the South East.
This could rise to £17billion by 2060.
Between 2025 and 2040 potential actions could include the creation of three new reservoirs, including one at Blackstone near Henfield, around £5bn of investment by water companies to reduce leakages and help customers use water more efficiently as well as schemes to enhance the treatment of wastewater so it can be returned to the environment from where it can be abstracted again.
The plan also identifies the need for a desalination plant in the Shoreham area by 2040 and water recycling schemes could also be introduced where an extra stage is added at the wastewater treatment works. This highly treated water is transferred to a point on a nearby river or into a reservoir where it mixes with raw water and can be reabstracted, treated again to drinking water standard and supplied to customers.
Beyond 2040 the emerging plan identifies additional options that could be needed including moving water from different parts of the country and additional reservoirs, water recycling and desalination schemes.
Jim Barker, head of water resources for Portsmouth Water, said: “The South East as a whole is under serious water stress.
“Ensuring that taps are kept running in the face of climate change and a growing population whilst at the same time protecting our environment, is a challenge which all water companies in the region are facing.
“By working together, we can help to address some of these challenges and ensure that everyone in the region, including Portsmouth Water customers, have the water they need both now and in the future. Now that the
emerging regional plan has been published, we would like to invite Portsmouth Water customers to view the plan and have their say.”
Chrismurray,independent chair of the WRSE, said: “This consultation is an important part of our journey to develop a regional plan that not only provides enough water for future generations but delivers wider benefits to people and places.”
To find out more about WRSE’S regional plan visit www.wrse.org.uk The consultation is open until March 14.
Responses to the consultation will be used to develop the draft regional plan produced later in 2022. The six WRSE water companies will use the draft regional plan to derive their individual plans.