I recently attended the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project consultation, which addressed the proposed 40km water pipeline intended to alleviate water shortages in Western Hampshire and protect our chalk streams.
However, I left the consultation with significant concerns.
The construction of this pipeline will result in 17,640 tonnes of carbon emissions and cause considerable biodiversity harm, affecting between 480,000 to 800,000 species. This is in addition to the substantial carbon and energy emissions associated with the project's ongoing operation and maintenance. Given the latest alarming State of Nature report and the rapidly worsening climate crisis, it is clear that we need a more updated and sustainable approach.
One major issue is the plan to use recycled wastewater for the new Havant reservoir and our drinking water, without fully removing trace chemicals. This is particularly concerning given the increasing complexity of pollutants in our water supply. Additionally, discharging surplus recycled water into the Solent will further harm our natural ecosystems. The extended construction period will also disrupt communities and landowners significantly.
Southern Water's 'Water for Life' programme failed to include several viable alternatives in their previous consultations which has determined this project. Options such as water abstraction near tidal limits, which would restore natural river flows at a lower cost, were overlooked. Storing excess winter water in new reservoirs and confined aquifers also presents numerous benefits. Moreover, the assessment of desalination options was prematurely halted. Advances in nanotechnology desalination, desalination batteries, and improved management of brine by-products suggest that desalination could offer a more resilient, future-proof solution. Rechargeable seawater batteries for direct transformation of seawater into renewable energy strongly suggests further investigation is warranted. These technologies could provide clean, remineralised water and contribute to a new green economy and energy sector.
I urge the new Government, the Water Regulator and Water Resource South East (WRSE) to reassess the 'Water for Life' programme. Including the previously overlooked options could result in a project that is less harmful and offers broader co-benefits, deserving of a new consultation.
Danny Lee,
Councillor for Central Meon Valley and Green Group Leader,
Winchester City Council
Swanmore Road,
Droxford
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