Portsmouth Water publishes ambitious 50-year plan to ensure high-quality, reliable water supply

Portsmouth Water has published its new long-term plan to ensure all customers receive a reliable, sustainable and safe supply of water for the next 50 years.

The Water Resources Management Plan (2025 – 2075) responds to several key challenges. There is the need to leave more water in the environment to benefit nature, continue to serve a rapidly growing population and to adapt our ways of life to a changing climate. The plan focuses on making the best use of the resources already available, by working with and encouraging customers and businesses to use water more wisely, reducing leakage as well as identifying new reliable sources of water where necessary.

A cornerstone of the plan is the introduction of smart water meters for Portsmouth Water customers across the area of supply. The metering rollout will put customers in control of the water they use whilst identifying leaks in their homes that would likely otherwise go undiscovered. Smart Water Meters will also allow Portsmouth Water to identify leaks coming from its own pipe network, both preventing wasted water and improving overall efficiency.

Accompanying the change will be new ways to access information. A new app will allow customers who choose to, to understand their water use, track it easily and ask questions. The plan addresses how vital it is that Portsmouth Water and customers work together to improve our local environment by using water wisely.

The plan also includes the delivery of Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first major new UK reservoir in over 30 years. This reservoir will not only provide a new sustainable water source, but will also bring significant benefits to the local community, and will deliver an environmental net gain. This includes the creation of a new green leisure hub, wetlands, and a network of footpaths, cycle routes, and bridleways.

The Water Resources Management Plan, which has been endorsed by Government, has been created in consultation with local communities and in collaboration with other water companies. It is designed to benefit not just Portsmouth Water’s customers but also people, businesses, and the environment across the South East.

Bob Taylor, Portsmouth Water CEO, said:
“Whilst here at Portsmouth Water, we’ve historically enjoyed a plentiful supply of water, our rapidly growing population and less predictable climate, means this is changing. Our region is now classified as ‘water stressed’ by the Environment Agency and we need to ensure enough water is kept within the environment to feed the precious chalk streams in our supply area. We have a duty to preserve them and protect the biodiversity that surround them.

“We’ve developed an ambitious plan to ensure that, despite these challenges, our customers will continue to receive a high-quality, reliable and affordable supply of water. It will include installing smart water meters to help us all use water more wisely, reducing leaks and developing Havant Thicket Reservoir – the first major UK reservoir in over 30 years.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views on this plan.”

All water companies prepare Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) which show how they will secure resilient water supplies for their customers.

These plans consider how much water is available today, how much will be needed for the future and a series of options to make up the difference. They are reviewed every year and updated every five years, to make sure they always reflect the latest situation and especially customers’ needs.

Water Companies are able to release their final plans once regulators have endorsed the plans and support the methodologies to deliver on the commitments of each water company.

For more information, please contact [email protected]