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New plan to keep you on tap to 2035

Park Lake soon to be a new reservoir for Cornwall

DID you know that 2007 was the South West's 11th consecutive summer without water restrictions? And that standpipes have not been seen in the region since the drought of 1976?

But with the looming threat of climate change, can our proud record be sustained in the future?

Experts at South West Water are now busy preparing their masterplan to keep the region's taps running to 2035. Water Strategy Manager Neil Whiter gave Waterlevel an exclusive preview.

He said: "We anticipate climate change will have a significant impact and we are therefore planning on the basis of a reduction in the availability of water from our existing resources and boreholes.

"Population increase is forecast and there is also likely to be an increase in demand from customers as a result of the predicted hotter, drier summers.

"Doing nothing is clearly not an option – we must adapt. But how? We don't believe building a new reservoir is needed, so instead we propose to make the best use of our existing resources, maintain our position as an industry leader in tackling leakage and encourage our customers to continue using water wisely.

"We have also recently acquired Park Lake, a former china clay pit near Bodmin, which will boost water resources in Cornwall.

"Next month, we will publishing a draft plan of our proposals up to 2035. It is vital that we know what you – our customers – think of these proposals."