Portsmouth Water in the UK is proposing to install two separate pipelines to pump spring water to Havant Thicket Reservoir and draw it out when needed. This would offer the water company greater flexibility to respond to more frequent, longer droughts.
It would also mean the scheme could continue to operate if maintenance was required on one of the pipelines.
The pipelines could also potentially be used by Southern Water in the future, if it receives planning permission for its water recycling scheme, known as the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.
This would involve supplementing Havant Thicket Reservoir with highly treated recycled water, enabling it to supply up to 90 million litres per day, on top of the 21 million litres that the approved scheme will provide.
Installing two pipelines would not give Southern Water permission to add recycled water to Havant Thicket Reservoir. They still need to secure separate approval for their Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling scheme.
Ruari Maybank, Project Director for Portsmouth Water, said: “The Havant Thicket Reservoir project is all about protecting the River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire, two rare and sensitive chalk streams, as well as making sure there’s enough water for a growing population in the decades ahead.
“A combined approach has benefits for Portsmouth Water and also means that, if proposals for water recycling are agreed in the future, residents won’t need to experience additional disruption. We want to be very clear that installing two pipelines would not give Southern Water permission to add recycled water to Havant Thicket Reservoir. They still need to secure separate approval for their Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling scheme, and will be consulting the public on this in 2024.”
Portsmouth Water outlines new pipeline plans
