Multi-billion-pound plans to secure future drinking water supplies have been published

A £2.3 billion package of work to secure future drinking water supplies in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire for the next 50 years has been published by South East Water.

Plans include leak reduction and water efficiency activities, new reservoirs, desalination and water recycling projects as well as a network of new pipes to improve how water is moved around the south east.

At its core, the 50-year Water Resources Management Plan 2024 details how the company will keep customers’ taps running into the future, by striking that delicate balance between ensuring there is additional water to supply a growing population, while protecting the environment and adding value to society.

Nick Price, South East Water’s Head of Water Resources, said: “Our ability to supply water is under increasing pressure due to a growing population, climate change and new laws to protect the environment.

“We’ve worked hard to create a regional solution which addresses those pressures, whilst also providing a benefit to the environment and local communities.

“These plans are very much long-term and have taken into account the extreme weather we have experienced in recent years and the changing pattern we have seen in the demand for water.

“The wide-ranging plan has been guided by extensive research, detailed data, customer involvement, and engagement with stakeholders and other interested parties.”

The full plan can be viewed on the South East Water website.