Portsmouth Water has launched a new consultation on its updated plans to tackle droughts in West Sussex and Hampshire.
Introducing the consultation, the water company described the sources it uses to supply water as very resilient to drought - the last time restrictions were introduced was in 1976. The Company's water sources are all groundwater based, with 60% of water supplied from boreholes and wells, 31% from natural springs at Source B, and 9% from Source A, a river abstraction above the tidal limit of the groundwater-dependent River Itchen.
Portsmouth Water currently has a bulk supply agreement with Southern Water to supply up to 15 Ml/d to Southern Water’s Sussex North Zone. A new bulk supply is due to be commissioned to Southern Water’s Hampshire South Zone in spring 2018. This will supply up to 15 Ml/d with the possibility for future increases.
The bulk supply agreements cover drought events but do not guarantee that water will be available to Southern Water in extreme conditions.
Portsmouth Water’s previous Drought Plan was published in April 2013.
The utility is inviting customers to comment on the summary of its draft Drought Plan for 2018-2023 and is seeking views on:
- How often it expects to have to introduce water restrictions
- How the restrictions would affect customers, homes and businesses
- The steps Portsmouth Water would take to protect customers from hardship
- How the water company aims to protect the environment, jobs and the economy.
All feedback received from the consultation will be shared with the government and considered as Portsmouth Water updates its final drought plan to be published in April this year.
Deadline to submit responses to the consultation is March 2nd 2018.
Click here to download the summary consultation paper
Click here to download the consultation paper and supporting documents in full.
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