Supporting our environmental ambitions

Since 1990, we have undertaken a number of in-depth investigations on most of the chalk stream catchments within our supply areas. These have helped to improve our understanding of how these catchments function, and how they respond to factors such as droughts and changes in groundwater abstraction. We have used that knowledge to make decisions about reducing groundwater abstraction where our operations may be having an impact and going forward, we will continue this commitment. Over the next five years (2025-2030) we plan to deliver an investment programme that reduces water taken from the chalk aquifer by 35 million litres per day, focused on the upper reaches of chalk stream catchments. Our aim is to improve the long-term resilience of these important habitats, which will help to improve their ability to recover from naturally occurring events such as droughts.

Alongside this, we have a well-established and ambitious Environmental Enhancement Programme delivered through the Water Industry National Environment Programme which aims to deliver schemes on the ground that protect, preserve and enhance the environment through various initiatives. This includes a programme of catchment and nature-based solutions which includes river restoration projects, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and other partners. We have been delivering river restoration for over 10 years and our Asset Management Period 8 programme (2025-2030) will see projects delivered on the Rivers Ver, Lea, Mimram, Misbourne, Gade, Beane, Chess, Bulbourne, Colne, Ivel, Cam, Stort, Ash, Dour and Little Stour. We have also provided additional flow support to the Rivers Hiz, Oughton and Ivel as well as the Cam through our flow enhancement initiatives by pumping water from our boreholes into the rivers when the local environment requires it. Complementary to this, we deliver land management schemes working with landowners, businesses and farmers across our region to protect and preserve drinking water and help chalk stream catchments be more resilient to environmental pressures including pollution, flooding and drought pressures.

Additionally, we have an extensive biodiversity programme which is protecting, creating and enhancing habitats within our own landholdings, as well as working across our supply area to manage invasive non-native species, create and restore habitats in partnership with others and preserve threatened plant, tree and wildlife species.

Our Drought Plan supports our environmental ambitions by minimising the impacts of drought on the environment in our regions wherever possible. In line with the Environment Agency Water Company Drought Plan Guideline and the Drought Plan (England) Direction 2025, our Plan prioritises taking actions that have the least environmentally damaging impact. This includes demand management and operational actions like promoting water efficiency. In this round of planning, we have included enhanced environmental monitoring to ensure we are closely following conditions on the ground and working to mitigate the impacts of any actions we may need to take during a drought.