Environment Secretary visits reservoir project set to supply drinking water across West Sussex
Dame Angela Eagle, the Environment Secretary, visited Portsmouth Water to see the latest progress on the company’s flagship Havant Thicket Reservoir project.
Havant Thicket Reservoir is the first major new reservoir to be built in the UK for more than 30 years.
It will have the ability to supply drinking water to both Portsmouth Water and Southern Water customers as needed, including those in West Sussex, with Bedhampton Springs being its primary source for water.
During the visit, the Environment Secretary toured the site and saw the progress being made since the major construction phase began last spring. The visit provided an opportunity to see the scale of the work taking place and the important role the reservoir will play in securing water supplies for generations to come.
Bob Taylor, CEO of Portsmouth Water, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle, to Havant Thicket Reservoir and to show her the excellent progress being made on site.
“Following a second summer in a row of record-breaking heat, the challenges of drought have come sharply into focus for many people, in a way not seen since the drought of 1976.
“New, sustainable sources of water are essential for building resilience to drought, particularly here in the severely water-stressed South East.
"That’s why we’re proud to be building Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first new major reservoir to be built in the UK for more than 30 years. The reservoir will play a vital role in protecting two of Hampshire’s precious chalk rivers.”
Once complete, the new Havant Thicket Reservoir will hold up to 8.7 billion litres of water.
In addition, the new reservoir will become a green leisure hub for the area, with a visitor centre, wetland and network of footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways.
The reservoir itself is being constructed by Future Water MJJV Ltd – a joint venture between leading civil engineering contractors Mackley and Jones Bros.
The associated pipelines which will be used to fill the reservoir with water and draw it down when needed are being constructed by Ward & Burke Construction Limited.
The flagship project will be built and operated by Portsmouth Water and paid for over time by Southern Water’s water supply bills.