Environment
Developing new resources
Our investigations have shown that measures to manage existing water resources and customer demand are not sufficient to deliver the extra water we need in the future.
Therefore, we need to investigate the possibility of developing new resources. These include investigations into:- Desalination schemes – the removal of salt from seawater or brackish groundwater to produce water of drinkable quality.
- Indirect potable re-use – Transfer of highly treated sewage effluent to mix with river water, for subsequent abstraction and treatment to drinkable water quality.
- Re-licensing of surplus groundwater resources – The abstraction of additional water where available, from underground rocks or soil.
- Surface water abstractions – The abstraction of water from rivers when surpluses are available.
- Winter storage reservoirs – An impounded water body used for the storage of surplus river or groundwater for public water supply.
Winter Storage Reservoirs
South East Water is carrying out initial investigations into the possibility of building new reservoirs at Clay Hill, near Ringmer, in East Sussex, and at Broad Oak, in Kent.
We are carrying out two years of extensive planning, geological and environmental surveys at Clay Hill to determine if the site is suitable for a reservoir.
Investigations are also being carried out at Broad Oak, north of Canterbury, to determine the suitability of the location for a similar reservoir scheme.
South East Water is continuing to consult on its plans for future water resources as they develop.