Proposal for second giant reservoir in the Mendips revived

PLANS for a new reservoir near the Mendip Hills in Somerset appear to be back on the table, according to recently published plans.

Bristol Water first teased plans for a second reservoir in Cheddar back in 2013, claiming that the reservoir would be built to the south of the village’s existing reservoir, right, and could hold up to nine billion litres of water.

The project (dubbed ‘Cheddar Two’) was scrapped in April 2018, with the water company claiming it was no longer needed and would focus on reducing leaks instead.

Patric Bulmer, head of water resources and environment at Bristol Water, stated at the time: “The information we now have on population growth and climate change has moved on significantly since we proposed the Cheddar Two project.”

But South West Water (which took over the management of Bristol Water in February) has now confirmed it is “resurrecting” the project following the publication of its new business plan, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030.

An article in trade publication New Civil Engineer said: “South West Water will invest £2.8bn to upgrade a third of water treatment works in Devon and Cornwall, reduce leakage to less than 10 per cent, create a water grid to ensure all strategic reservoirs are connected, and invest in large reservoirs - starting with Cheddar Two in Bristol.”

The project’s revival has now been corroborated within South West

Water’s business plan. South West Water said it was not in a position to directly confirm further details of the project – including how much bills may have to rise for fund the construction. A spokesman stated that the company was “currently undertaking preliminary studies” into how it could meet the needs of the region it covers – which may include significant new infrastructure.

The existing Cheddar Reservoir is also an important leisure attraction for the village.