Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has visited the Havant Thicket Reservoir project to see the latest progress on the major new water infrastructure scheme.
Dame Angela visited the Portsmouth Water site on Thursday 3 September as work continues on what will be the first major new reservoir built in the UK for more than 30 years.
The project is designed to improve water resilience in the South East, with England currently facing its third drought in five years.
Once complete, Havant Thicket Reservoir will be capable of providing up to 21 million litres of water a day during prolonged periods of dry weather.
The scheme is also intended to help protect two of Hampshire’s chalk rivers by providing an alternative sustainable source of water.
During her visit, the Environment Secretary toured the construction site and saw progress made since the main building phase began last spring.
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.”
The reservoir will eventually hold up to 8.7 billion litres of water.
Plans also include a visitor centre, wetland areas and a network of footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways, creating a new leisure and wildlife space for the area.
Construction of the reservoir is being carried out by Future Water MJJV Ltd, a joint venture between civil engineering firms Mackley and Jones Bros.
Ward & Burke Construction Limited is building the associated pipelines which will be used to fill the reservoir and draw water from it when required.
The project will be owned and operated by Portsmouth Water, with its costs recovered over time through Southern Water customers’ water supply bills.
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