A new recycling project to solve water scarcity in the South East
Over the next 10 years we're investing in water recycling to solve the growing issue of water scarcity across the South East. Learn more about our plans.
“Water scarcity will increasingly become a challenge in the South East. Climate change, an ever-growing population and the need to take less water from the environment are set to make the demands on water greater as the years go on. It’s hoped that a new project in Hampshire is going to change all that.
“I work on an essential water recycling project. Although water recycling is already being used successfully around the world, particularly in water-stressed areas, it’s not widely used in the UK. Water recycling speeds up the natural water cycle, reducing the amount taken from the environment.
“The plan is to use advanced treatment techniques to turn highly treated wastewater, that is usually pumped far out to sea from our Budds Farm treatment works, into purified recycled water. This purified recycled water will be pumped to a new reservoir being built at Havant Thicket where it will mix with spring water.
“The reservoir itself is a huge undertaking. It’s the first reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s. It is being built by Portsmouth Water and being funded over time by Southern Water. Water taken from the reservoir will be pumped along a new 40km pipeline to our Otterbourne Water Supply Works where it will be treated to strict drinking water standards before being sent into supply.
“One of the most amazing things about this project is the scale of what we’re trying to achieve. It will take a vast amount of team members and is planned for a 10-year period, needing significant financial investment.
“We’re currently in the pre-planning phase of the transfer pipeline, so all the work we’re doing is about providing the information needed for approvals. We’re carrying out surveys to make sure the environment will be protected both during and after the project is put in place. We’ve already done 3,000 ecological surveys for wildlife such as bats and badgers.
“Working on such a huge project means that collaborating and engaging with all the stakeholders is vital. We’re working in partnership with Portsmouth Water and regularly collaborate with RAPID – the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development – a group of regulators comprising Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, supported by Natural England and the Consumer Council for Water.
“Although water recycling is a new thing for our customers, it’s been used around the world for more than 40 years. I’m proud to be working on a project that will help us provide a resilient water supply long into the future, benefiting people and wildlife across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for many years to come.”
Rob Lawless
Programme Lead for Water for Life – Hampshire