ACT NOW
Stop Southern Water’s Unsustainable Plans – Deadline: 4 December 2024
This is a crucial moment to demand sustainable water management that prioritises the environment. Southern Water’s (SW) revised Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) continues to push flawed and short-sighted solutions, ignoring public opposition and sustainable alternatives.
Key Concerns:
1. Effluent Recycling Risks: SW’s plan relies heavily on energy-intensive effluent recycling. The proposed plant at Broadmarsh (Havant) would be built on an old landfill site, risking contamination of Langstone Harbour through leachate during construction.
This recycled water would be pumped to Havant Thicket Reservoir and then transported 40 km to Otterbourne, with an estimated cost already at £1.2 billion and rising.
2. Leakage Mismanagement: SW loses 100 million liters of treated water daily through leaks—19% of their supply. Even by 2050, they plan to waste 10%. Leakage experts say a 70% reduction by 2050 is achievable, but SW’s target is only 53%.
3. Absurd Alternatives: SW’s proposal to tanker water from Norway—an idea they previously dismissed as expensive, environmentally unsound, and risky for importing invasive species—shows their desperation to defend unsustainable recycling schemes.
4. Sustainable Options Ignored: SW dismisses sustainable solutions like expanding reservoirs, using aquifer storage, or improving the network to move water efficiently, claiming these aren’t feasible within their timeline.
5. Potential Price Hikes: If Portsmouth Water merges with SW, all customers may face significant bill increases to fund these costly projects.
Why It Matters:
The UK collects only 1% of rainfall, despite predictions of wetter winters. Instead of working with climate change by storing surplus winter water, SW proposes energy-intensive, profit-driven schemes that harm the environment and burden customers for decades.
What You Can Do:
Help stop this flawed plan by emailing DEFRA at water.resources@defra.gov.uk
and copy to Damian Hinds, MP. damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk
Subject: Southern Water Revised WRMP Content: Share your concerns about SW’s unsustainable proposals and demand better solutions, such as fixing leaks, developing reservoirs, and utilising aquifer storage.
Find detailed guidance at Havant Matters. havantmatters.org/water/have-your-say/
Deadline: 4 December 2024
Time is short, but your voice matters. DEFRA is the only body that can reject this plan—help push for a more sustainable, environmentally sound approach.
By Grahame Morrison
For more information go to havantmatters.org/water/have-your-say/ _______________________________________________ Grapevine mailing list: info@rowlandscastle.com
The Grapevine email system is operated by the ‘Rowlands Castle Association’.
Please do not reply to this email. If you are interested in the subject please use the contact details within the Grapevine message.
To unsubscribe from the Grapevine please send an email with a blank subject to info-unsubscribe@rowlandscastle.com Thank you. Grapevine moderator.
Stop Southern Water’s Unsustainable Plans – Deadline: 4 December 2024
This is a crucial moment to demand sustainable water management that prioritises the environment. Southern Water’s (SW) revised Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) continues to push flawed and short-sighted solutions, ignoring public opposition and sustainable alternatives.
Key Concerns:
1. Effluent Recycling Risks: SW’s plan relies heavily on energy-intensive effluent recycling. The proposed plant at Broadmarsh (Havant) would be built on an old landfill site, risking contamination of Langstone Harbour through leachate during construction.
This recycled water would be pumped to Havant Thicket Reservoir and then transported 40 km to Otterbourne, with an estimated cost already at £1.2 billion and rising.
2. Leakage Mismanagement: SW loses 100 million liters of treated water daily through leaks—19% of their supply. Even by 2050, they plan to waste 10%. Leakage experts say a 70% reduction by 2050 is achievable, but SW’s target is only 53%.
3. Absurd Alternatives: SW’s proposal to tanker water from Norway—an idea they previously dismissed as expensive, environmentally unsound, and risky for importing invasive species—shows their desperation to defend unsustainable recycling schemes.
4. Sustainable Options Ignored: SW dismisses sustainable solutions like expanding reservoirs, using aquifer storage, or improving the network to move water efficiently, claiming these aren’t feasible within their timeline.
5. Potential Price Hikes: If Portsmouth Water merges with SW, all customers may face significant bill increases to fund these costly projects.
Why It Matters:
The UK collects only 1% of rainfall, despite predictions of wetter winters. Instead of working with climate change by storing surplus winter water, SW proposes energy-intensive, profit-driven schemes that harm the environment and burden customers for decades.
What You Can Do:
Help stop this flawed plan by emailing DEFRA at water.resources@defra.gov.uk
and copy to Damian Hinds, MP. damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk
Subject: Southern Water Revised WRMP Content: Share your concerns about SW’s unsustainable proposals and demand better solutions, such as fixing leaks, developing reservoirs, and utilising aquifer storage.
Find detailed guidance at Havant Matters. havantmatters.org/water/have-your-say/
Deadline: 4 December 2024
Time is short, but your voice matters. DEFRA is the only body that can reject this plan—help push for a more sustainable, environmentally sound approach.
By Grahame Morrison
For more information go to havantmatters.org/water/have-your-say/ _______________________________________________ Grapevine mailing list: info@rowlandscastle.com
The Grapevine email system is operated by the ‘Rowlands Castle Association’.
Please do not reply to this email. If you are interested in the subject please use the contact details within the Grapevine message.
To unsubscribe from the Grapevine please send an email with a blank subject to info-unsubscribe@rowlandscastle.com Thank you. Grapevine moderator.