Future proofing Havant Thicket Reservoir

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We’ve welcomed Ofwat’s recent decision to increase the scope of the Havant Thicket Reservoir project. By carrying out additional activities now, we have the potential to significantly reduce disruption for local communities, impacts on the environment and minimise costs for those customers paying for the scheme.

Context

Our flagship Havant Thicket Reservoir project – the first major new UK reservoir in over 30 years – is set to provide key environmental benefits to the River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire.

Under current plans, the new reservoir will supply 21 million litres per day, allowing less to be taken from these rare chalk streams. This could rise to 111 million litres per day if Southern Water receives consent for its Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

These water recycling proposals, which are separate from the current, approved scheme and subject their own planning consent, would use well-established technology to supplement Havant Thicket Reservoir with highly purified recycled water. Ofwat has agreed for Portsmouth Water to expand the scope of the current project to incorporate additional activities, known as alignment works, to future-proof the scheme in the event these proposals secure consent.

Future-proofing the project

The alignment works would include installing two pipelines, rather than one, to fill the reservoir with spring water and draw it out when needed. If the water recycling scheme receives consent, this second pipeline could be used to transport recycled water to the reservoir. This removes the need to build additional infrastructure in the future, reducing disruption for local people and the environment, as well as minimising costs for Southern Water customers, who are ultimately paying for the scheme.

The second pipeline also provides key benefits for Portsmouth Water, regardless of whether the water recycling proposals progress. For instance, maintenance can be carried out on one pipeline whilst the other remains in operation.

It is important to note that these future-proofing works will not give Southern Water permission to add recycled water to the reservoir – this remains subject to separate planning consent.

Next steps

The future-proofing works, which will be subject to permission by local planning authorities, are an increase in scope for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project and will be paid for by Southern Water’s drinking water customers.

Ofwat has stated that its formal approval of the alignment works, to form part of Havant Thicket Reservoir activities for Portsmouth Water, does not prejudice the outcome of the planning process for the water recycling proposals.

Furthermore, Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir pipelines planning application, submitted in late May 2024 to Havant Borough Council, is seeking permission for new pipelines to carry only spring water. Recycled water could only be carried by the pipelines, if separate approval for the water recycling scheme was granted.

Read the ‘Statement of reasons for changing the price control activities on the Havant Thicket reservoir project’, which confirms Ofwat’s approval, here.

We’ve welcomed Ofwat’s recent decision to increase the scope of the Havant Thicket Reservoir project. By carrying out additional activities now, we have the potential to significantly reduce disruption for local communities, impacts on the environment and minimise costs for those customers paying for the scheme.

Context

Our flagship Havant Thicket Reservoir project – the first major new UK reservoir in over 30 years – is set to provide key environmental benefits to the River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire.

Under current plans, the new reservoir will supply 21 million litres per day, allowing less to be taken from these rare chalk streams. This could rise to 111 million litres per day if Southern Water receives consent for its Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

These water recycling proposals, which are separate from the current, approved scheme and subject their own planning consent, would use well-established technology to supplement Havant Thicket Reservoir with highly purified recycled water. Ofwat has agreed for Portsmouth Water to expand the scope of the current project to incorporate additional activities, known as alignment works, to future-proof the scheme in the event these proposals secure consent.

Future-proofing the project

The alignment works would include installing two pipelines, rather than one, to fill the reservoir with spring water and draw it out when needed. If the water recycling scheme receives consent, this second pipeline could be used to transport recycled water to the reservoir. This removes the need to build additional infrastructure in the future, reducing disruption for local people and the environment, as well as minimising costs for Southern Water customers, who are ultimately paying for the scheme.

The second pipeline also provides key benefits for Portsmouth Water, regardless of whether the water recycling proposals progress. For instance, maintenance can be carried out on one pipeline whilst the other remains in operation.

It is important to note that these future-proofing works will not give Southern Water permission to add recycled water to the reservoir – this remains subject to separate planning consent.

Next steps

The future-proofing works, which will be subject to permission by local planning authorities, are an increase in scope for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project and will be paid for by Southern Water’s drinking water customers.

Ofwat has stated that its formal approval of the alignment works, to form part of Havant Thicket Reservoir activities for Portsmouth Water, does not prejudice the outcome of the planning process for the water recycling proposals.

Furthermore, Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir pipelines planning application, submitted in late May 2024 to Havant Borough Council, is seeking permission for new pipelines to carry only spring water. Recycled water could only be carried by the pipelines, if separate approval for the water recycling scheme was granted.

Read the ‘Statement of reasons for changing the price control activities on the Havant Thicket reservoir project’, which confirms Ofwat’s approval, here.