Consultation on new reservoir plan opens

It is hoped a second reservoir at Cheddar would help meet water supply needs in the West Country

People have four weeks to have their say on plans to build a second reservoir on land south of Bristol.

Plans for the reservoir in Somerset - which would be known as Cheddar 2 - were announced earlier this year in the hope of securing future water supplies for Bristol and across the South West.

A public consultation opened earlier on the project, which includes laying 76 km of pipeline, building associated water treatment works booster pumping stations and service reservoirs.

West Country Water and Environment director, Steve Lanzon, said: "This project is crucial in ensuring we can meet drinking water demand in the future."

It is hoped that the project will help to reduce Somerset and Bristol's reliance on natural water sources and provide a water source during periods of drought.

The Cheddar 2 Reservoir, which would be located alongside the existing Cheddar reservoir, will store surplus water from the River Axe and Cheddar Yeo during wetter months.

Water will be treated at the Axbridge Preliminary Treatment Works, stored in the new reservoir, and undergo further treatment at a new Water Treatment Works in Axbridge before entering the drinking water supply network.

From there, it will be transferred south into Wessex Water's system in Somerset, enabling onward transfer to South West Water's supply network in Devon.

Construction is proposed to start in 2030, and it is hoped that the reservoir would be in operation by 2035.

'Community benefits'

The project is being spearheaded by West Country Water and Environment, a collaborative group established in 2017, consisting of Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, South West Water, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency along with associate members from regulatory bodies, environmental and conservation organisations.

Mr Lanzon said: "We recognise that once operational, the new reservoir will permanently reshape the land, becoming a new visual feature and we're committed to designing a second reservoir with environmental and community benefits at its heart."

The consultation is open for four weeks until 1 October with events being held across the region.