FAQs

Outline planning permission was granted in October 2021 for an original pipeline route and design, which would have been installed using an “open cut” technique. This is where trenches would need to be dug in roads and public open spaces for the pipes to go in. 

The original pipeline route / design was reviewed following discussions with the shortlisted contractors to build the pipeline, during which potential alternative approaches and construction techniques were put forward.

As a result, a new route / design has been developed, which will allow the scheme to be delivered more efficiently and effectively, with less disruption to local communities compared to the original approach.

We held two public consultations during 2023 on our revised reservoir pipelines plan. This included distribution of information / consultation leaflets to over 13,000 residents and businesses within Havant, as well as public drop-in sessions at local venues, and workshops for stakeholders, such as local councillors. 

The consultations had good levels of feedback, with general support for the proposed updated approach and plans.  

A key concern raised was the potential impact of the pipelines construction on the rugby pitches at Hooks Lane Playing Fields in Bedhampton and adjacent schools. In light of this, we subsequently amended our proposed plan and have committed to carry out the most disruptive building activities during the rugby off-season and school holidays.  

There is a planning condition to ensure that construction activities are managed to minimise noise and disturbance to schools next to the playing fields, namely Bidbury Infant and Junior Schools and St Thomas More School. 

Portsmouth Water has also committed to compensate Havant Rugby Club for loss of a training area during construction, and is providing a financial community contribution to compensate for disruption of areas of the playing fields.  

In 2025, we received planning permission from Havant Borough Council for two pipelines to run from Bedhampton Springs to the site of the new Havant Thicket Reservoir, just north of Leigh Park in Havant.

One pipeline will be used to carry surplus spring water to the reservoir in winter, where it will be stored. The other pipeline will enable water to be taken out for supply to customers during a drought or emergency situation.

Having two pipelines provides additional resilience, as the reservoir could continue to operate, even if one pipe could not be used, such as during maintenance work. 

In the future, the pipelines could also carry purified recycled water, should Southern Water receive approval for its Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

This would see Havant Thicket Reservoir supplemented with recycled water, meaning it could provide a further 90 million litres of water a day during a drought. That’s in addition to the 21 million litres a day that could be provided under the already approved reservoir scheme - by storing just spring water in the reservoir. 

Installing two pipelines now means we can future-proof the reservoir and avoid the need to install additional pipelines for recycled water at a later date. This would have real benefits for those living in Havant, as well as the local environment, by not having further disruption from additional construction. 

Southern Water’s Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project can only go ahead if it receives its own planning permission. Furthermore, our reservoir pipelines infrastructure could only be used to transport recycled water if the Southern Water recycling project is approved. This decision will be made by the Government, under a Development Consent Order. 

Working with the local planning and highways authorities, we have developed comprehensive plans for constructing the reservoir pipelines and effectively managing construction traffic. Our approved plans are focused on keeping disruption for local communities to a minimum, while building the pipelines efficiently and on schedule. The plans have been shaped and informed by feedback from community representatives, local residents and others along the new pipelines route.

We will use micro-tunnelling to install the majority of the reservoir pipelines, as it will be less disruptive. This is because it avoids the need to use an ‘open cut’ method, where trenches would need to be dug in roads and public open spaces for the pipes to go in. 

Micro-tunnelling is a technique in which a series of concrete tunnel sections are pushed, using hydraulic jacks, through the ground behind a Micro-Tunnel Boring Machine – a smaller type of tunnelling machine. 

Using this approach, the new water pipes will be installed inside two adjacent tunnels, both up to 2.5 metres wide, formed by concrete sections installed at a depth of between 3 and 10 metres underground – this is well below roads, footpaths, public spaces, utilities like gas and water pipes and electricity cables, and tree roots. 

The pipelines route also avoids going directly under houses, although they will be installed much deeper than any foundations in any case. 

The contractors we have appointed to install to the new pipeline, Ward & Burke, have a long and successful track record of building pipelines using micro-tunnelling - with more than 150kms of pipe installed by them to date.

The required working zones for the reservoir pipelines will be limited to just where the tunnelling access shafts are needed and the two ‘open cut’ sections at Hooks Lane Playing Fields in Bedhampton and Staunton Country Park. 

Our comprehensive construction plans cover a wide range of areas, detailing out how we will minimise disruption and disturbance for local communities. For example, effectively managing noise from pipelines installation work within the limits permitted by the local planning authority.

As we developed the detailed plans, we’ve looked at how we can: 

• Limit the size of the areas we’re working in to reduce disruption to footpaths, residents and local roads. 
• Implement noise insulation measures.
• Use alternating routes for construction traffic to relieve congestion. 
• Route construction vehicles along main roads such as the A3(M), to divert them away from residential areas for most of their journeys. 
• Use other areas for parking for construction teams. 
• Stagger site activities to reduce traffic. 

We would encourage anyone with questions or concerns about the reservoir pipelines scheme to get in touch with us in one of the following ways:

• Leave us a question or comment using the 'Ask us a question' feature on our pipelines webpages.
• Send us an email via: havantthicket@portsmouthwater.co.uk
• Phone us on 023 9249 9888.
• Write to us via: Havant Thicket Reservoir Project Team PO Box 99,Havant, PO9 1LG.

Much of the total new pipelines route will be installed using micro-tunnelling, which will be less disruptive to local communities overall.

However, two sections of the pipelines, going via open green spaces at Hooks Lane Playing Fields and Staunton Country Park, will be installed using the ‘open cut’ method, with both pipes put in the same trench. This is to minimise costs, in the interests of value for money for customers, while still delivering it efficiently and effectively, with as little disruption to local communities as possible. 

The new pipelines will be built and operated by us, Portsmouth Water, as part of the overall Havant Thicket Reservoir scheme. 

Ultimately, the reservoir project, including the pipelines, is being paid for by Southern Water, through its drinking water customer bills. This means the scheme needs to provide the best value for customers’ money, while minimising any impact on bills. 

Portsmouth Water customers are not paying for the reservoir project through their drinking water or wastewater bills.

Members of our reservoir pipelines project team have liaised closely with officials from Havant rugby club, the Rugby Football Union, Sport England (as the relevant statutory consultee) and Havant Borough Council, which owns the playing fields. This was to look at how we can install pipelines while minimising any impact on the rugby club’s activities, and those of others using Hooks Lane Playing Fields.

There has also been liaison with the three schools adjacent to the playing fields (Bidbury Infant and Junior Schools and St Thomas More School), as well as Hampshire County Council and the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, which are involved in looking after the school sites.

As a result of these discussions, together with feedback from our consultations during 2023, we subsequently amended our proposed plan, so the pipelines will follow a route around the western and northern edge of the playing fields, allowing more rugby pitches to stay in use. In addition, we have committed to carry out the most disruptive building activities during the rugby off-season and school holidays.  

There is also a planning condition to ensure that construction activities are managed to minimise noise and disturbance to the schools. Plus, Portsmouth Water has also committed to compensate Havant Rugby Club for loss of a training area during construction, and is providing a financial community contribution to compensate for disruption of areas of the playing fields.  

Having two pipelines in place will mean the reservoir scheme could continue to operate if maintenance was required on one of the pipelines.

The highest quality ductile iron pipe, known as the ‘Rolls Royce of pipes’, will be used for the pipelines. This will have a working life of 100 years and will be fully tested and approved for use before being installed. The completed pipework will also be checked and tested thoroughly before it was used.

In the unlikely event that any repairs were needed, the access shafts, built to allow the micro-tunnelling machine to be put in below ground, will allow the pipework to be inspected and repaired.

Our approved plan for two reservoir pipelines will result in significantly less disruption to local communities and a lower impact on the environment and in terms of carbon emissions. That’s compared to installing two pipelines separately - one for Portsmouth Water to carry spring water and one for Southern Water to transport recycled water. 

Much of the total new pipelines route will be installed using micro-tunnelling, which has a lower impact on the environment compared to the original open cut construction method we proposed. The required working zones for the reservoir pipelines will be limited to just where the tunnelling access shafts are needed and the two ‘open cut’ sections at Hooks Lane Playing Fields in Bedhampton and Staunton Country Park. 

Installing two pipelines at the same time also means that if Southern Water's proposals for water recycling are approved in the future, there would be no further impacts on local communities and the environment from the construction of another pipeline to transport recycled water to Havant Thicket Reservoir.

The communities we serve are at the heart of our work, and we’re always looking for new ways to ensure local people feel the benefits from the Havant Thicket Reservoir project. 

Our goal remains to maximise the potential of the reservoir scheme, for our region, for our communities and for nature. For example, leaving a really positive legacy by creating opportunities for local employment and skills development through the scheme, including the construction of the new reservoir pipelines.

For the pipelines scheme, the goal is to have nine people from local area employed on the project, including four apprentices - that equates to 14% of the overall pipelines workforce of 65 people.