Three new reservoirs, water transfers and recycling schemes have received the green light for continued development from the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID).
A total of 12 schemes will receive ring-fenced funding for their continued development. Companies proposing the schemes will continue to investigate the technical issues, environmental impacts and ensure projects offer best value for customers.
“The water sector needs to act now to secure future needs of customers and the environment,” said RAPID managing director, Paul Hickey.
“Finding new sustainable and resilient ways to maintain water supply across the country is vital, and all the more pressing given climate change, the increase in population and economic development.”
Reservoirs at Abingdon in Oxfordshire, South Lincolnshire and the Fens in Cambridgeshire will proceed to the next development stage with a view to being built between 2025 and 2030 to provide water to three million people.
Changes were made to the plan for the South Lincolnshire Reservoir, which was being developed jointly by Affinity and Anglian. Moving forward Anglian will be the sole developer of it and a transfer project from Anglian’s to Affinity’s region.
The Fens site, being planned jointly by Cambridge and Anglian, was highlighted to be a notably high cost solution. Ofwat asked for “clear and robust evidence” that the Fens location is the best value option.
Water transfer proposals being advanced include a scheme from the Severn to Thames.
Reuse proposals by Thames Water in London were also advanced at Mogdon, Beckton and Teddington but an indirect reuse proposal for Beckton will not continue.
A decision on another proposed reservoir in Cheddar, which would be adjacent to an existing reservoir, will be published in May.
No major reservoirs have been built in the UK since the 1980s, which outgoing Environment Agency chief executive James Bevan said left the country’s supply resilience exposed.
RAPID is made up of water regulators Ofwat, Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate with support from CCW, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.
It was established four years ago to explore and address any regulatory or other barriers to getting major water resources infrastructure projects designed and developed.
In the south east of England, water resource challenges were identified as more urgent than other parts of the country. Therefore schemes to boost supplies were fast-tracked one year ahead of the man RAPID programme.