WATER companies in the South East have joined forces in a bid to address looming water supply shortfalls.
The first ever regional water resources plan has been published by Water Resources South East (WRSE), an alliance of the six water companies working in the south east of England.
It documents the scale of the future water security challenge facing the region — which could include a shortfall of one billion litres per day, in the next 15 years.
This is a fifth of the amount of water supplied each day across the south east.
Chris Murray, independent chair of WRSE, said that the south east faces the most severe pressure on its water supplies of any region of the country.
Mr Murray said: “It is warmer, more densely populated and is the home of more of the iconic chalk streams that we are seeking to preserve than any other part of the country.”
The plan sets out action that could be needed to avoid the shortfall, and is now open to consultation.
Reasons for the predicted shortfall are climate change and population growth, WRSE said.
Mr Murray said: “The climate emergency is and will continue to have a profound impact on our water environment, so this plan aims to mitigate that through a long-term programme of investment that prepares us for the years ahead by changing how we use water and where we source it from.”
There is also a need to protect the water environment and make supplies more resilient to drought, the group said, which could bear a cost of £8 billion, rising to £17 billion by 2060.
At the moment, water companies use chalk rivers and groundwater among other sources, but these can be vulnerable to climate change.
The report identifies alternative sources, and suggests building three new reservoirs in the region to store water.
Other solutions proposed include spending around £5 billion to reduce leakage and help customers use water more efficiently.
The group also suggest schemes that will enhance the treatment of wastewater so it can be returned to the environment and used again.
More than 200 nature-based schemes have also been included, in a bid to improve the region’s rivers and streams that provide water supplies.
“This plan is a huge step forward in regional water resource planning and in developing it we have considered thousands of options that have resulted in an emerging plan that shows the potential for more connectivity than we have ever seen before,” Mr Murray said.
“The degree of collaboration in getting us to this point is beyond what has we have previously witnessed, and I am grateful to those who have engaged with us so far.
“This consultation is an important part of our journey to develop a regional plan that not only provides enough water for future generations but delivers wider benefits to people and places.”
The consultation closes on Monday, March 14.
To find out more, visit: www.wrse.org.uk
