Top Posts
Study shows climate change could make ‘droughts’ for...
Pakistan demands collective response in climate change fight
AfDB sets aside $40m to drive AGIA green...
Report: African cities move to address carbon-neutral development
Niger govt bans tree cutting, establishes agency to...
HEDA asks senate to hold IOCs accountable for...
FG issues flood alert for in 29 states,...
Lagos State Govt reassures residents over flash floods
NGO empowers women on climate resilience in Kaduna
Brazil launches COP30 accommodation platform after pressure from...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Plan to turn sewage waste into drinking water branded a ‘white elephant’

by admineconai July 15, 2024
written by admineconai July 15, 2024
498

A £1.2bn scheme to recycle effluent from the sewage system and turn it into drinking water has been described as a threat to the environment and a potential costly “white elephant”.

According to reports, Southern Water wants to treat effluent – wastewater from the sewage system – at a plant at Havant in Hampshire and pipe it into a nearby spring-fed reservoir to boost water supplies during droughts. The scheme would ensure that less water is extracted from two rare chalk streams: the rivers Test and Itchen.

This will be the first reservoir in the country to use recycled water derived from effluent to supplement its levels. But regulators say effluent recycling is used overseas, providing plentiful and safe supplies, but campaigners say there are more environmentally friendly options.

Southern Water has been fined tens of millions of pounds in recent years for polluting rivers and coastal waters in Kent, Sussex and Surrey with sewage. Last week, Ofwat, the regulator, announced a proposed annual bill-rise for Southern Water customers of 44%, or £183, by 2030.

Read also: London’s Science Museum forced to end relationship with oil giant

The company’s proposed Hampshire water recycling project would supply up to 90m litres of drinking water a day and would be operational by 2034. It will apply for a development consent order next year and says the scheme will keep “the taps and rivers” flowing.

Tracey Viney, an environmental specialist advising campaigners opposing the project, said: “This is not a sustainable solution. We get plenty of rainwater and should be developing schemes to store water for use in dry summers.” Bill Cutting, a former director of Southern Water in the 1990s, said he opposed the scheme. “The costs are horrendous,” he said. “It’s a good idea if you’re living in a country where there is no water, but you can’t say the UK has no water.”

The Havant Thicket reservoir is the first large-scale reservoir to be built in the UK for more than three decades and is a collaboration between Southern Water and Portsmouth Water. It won planning permission in 2021 and will hold about 8.7bn litres of water. Southern Water lost about 108.5m litres of water a day in 2022-23 through leaks, according to most recent figures. Campaigners say it should focus on reducing leakage.

Story was adapted from the Guardian.

PlanSewageWasteWaterWhite elephant
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
London’s Science Museum forced to end relationship with oil giant
next post
S’Africa to miss 2030 emission goal, appeals for extension

Related Posts

Study shows climate change could make ‘droughts’ for...

August 18, 2025

Pakistan demands collective response in climate change fight

August 18, 2025

Brazil launches COP30 accommodation platform after pressure from...

August 7, 2025

Pakistan’s deadly floods worsened by global warming: study

August 7, 2025

Putin decree allows Russia to increase greenhouse gas...

August 7, 2025

New study shows climate change cancelling major events

August 4, 2025

ICJ says countries to be held accountable for...

August 4, 2025

Report shows PR firm working for Shell wins...

July 30, 2025

Study shows climate change could make ‘droughts’ for...

July 30, 2025

UN agency says deadly floods show need for...

July 22, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World