Planning for a UK water resilience project that will see up to 115M litres of wastewater transported per day will be delivered by Mott MacDonald and Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd
A new UK water resilience proposal developed by Affinity Water and Severn Trent Water, with from the Canal & River Trust aims to answer water shortages in the Southeast of England.
In the plans, the Grand Union Canal capacity will be upgraded to allow up to 115M litres per day of treated wastewater. Water will be extracted and treated in the south east for the public water supply.
The UK water supply faces unprecedented demand due to climate change
Population growth and environmental pressures such as high heat weather extremes are contributing to the high demand on existing water sources in the UK.
The south and east of England will be particularly affected by existing and future water shortages, necessitating a UK water resilience scheme.
Regional groups have been formed to boost water resilience
Made up of neighbouring water companies and major users of water in each region, the groups are:
- Water Resources North
- Water Resources West
- Water Resources East
- Water Resources South East
- Water Resources West Country
Each of these groups will identify the best value water resilience options for their customers, society and the environment.
In addition, water resource projects deemed to be of greatest national importance – such as new reservoirs, bulk water transfers and wastewater treatment and reuse schemes – have been designated strategic resource options (SROs).
Mott MacDonald is playing a key role in futureproofing water resources
Partnering with Adams Hendry, Mott MacDonald will lead the delivery of the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the UK water resilience scheme.
This statutory instrument for the granting of planning permission for major infrastructure projects in the UK is necessary for planning and environmental consent. The team will secure the DCO, engage with stakeholders, and manage consultation with statutory bodies to ensure proposals conserve and enhance the natural environment.
The firm is helping a number of individual water companies think about and plan their resource requirements for the next 25 years or more.
“We’re proud to be working with the water sector across the country to safeguard England’s water future,” said Sarah Henderson, Mott MacDonald’s UK town planning team leader.
“With a relative abundance of water in the north and west of England compared to the south and east, water transfers will form an important part of making England’s water supply resilient. Canals provide a good opportunity to make use of existing infrastructure for relatively light economic and environmental impact.”
You can learn more about Mott MacDonald’s work in the water sector, here.
