New Water Plan Revealed By Southern Water As It Works To Secure Supplies

Southern Water has released its Final Draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24), outlining how it will secure water supplies and protect Hampshire’s rare chalk streams.

Published on 30 May 2025 and now with the Secretary of State for approval, the plan comes after the driest spring since 1852 and amid rising demand.

By 2050, England is expected to need 5 billion extra litres of water a day—over half of that in the South East.

Hampshire faces particular pressure due to restrictions on abstracting from the River Test and River Itchen. The WRMP24 proposes cutting leaks, improving efficiency, and developing new sources—most notably the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

The scheme would purify wastewater and store it in Havant Thicket Reservoir for drought use.

Major Projects Director Ben Ring said the region faces a 166 million-litre-a-day shortfall in droughts, but long-term solutions are in development. Temporary measures like Drought Orders may be needed if severe dry weather hits before 2034, though this is considered unlikely.

Southern Water has already invested £10 million in environmental mitigation and plans a further £40 million in river restoration. The final approved plan is expected in autumn.