Two new lakes help to secure Cornwall's water supply
 Park Lake soon to be a new reservoir for Cornwall Water supplies in the South West will be more secure in the future thanks to the development of two former china clay quarries in Cornwall.
South West Water has just completed the purchase of Stannon Lake and has heard that the Environment Agency has granted an abstraction licence for Park Lake, which was purchased last year from minerals extraction company Imerys.
Both sites are on Bodmin Moor and will be the second and third largest in Cornwall, behind Colliford reservoir. Once they are ready, they will take their place after Roadford, Colliford and Wimbleball as the fourth and fifth largest reservoirs in the South West.
Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive of South West Water, said: "Our aim is to secure water supplies for our customers, whatever climate change throws at us. The development of these two lakes gives us significant extra reserves, without the cost and disruption involved in building new reservoirs – a process which can take 20 years.
"Park and Stannon will be used to supplement the water resources we have available for the people of Cornwall, and will make a significant impact.
"South West Water will also be carrying on the good work started by Imerys on the restoration of the surrounding land. We will be aiming to increase biodiversity and develop the full environmental potential of the lakes and surrounding land."
Park Lake, which is near Siblyback and Colliford reservoirs on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, was bought in September 2006. The 55 metre deep lake holds around 7.7 billion litres of water – or the equivalent of 3080 Olympic swimming pools. Construction work on the lake has already started and it is hoped that it will be ready for use later this year. The water will be treated at St Cleer Water Treatment Works.
Stannon Lake, near Crowdy reservoir on the northern edge of Bodmin Moor, holds over 8 billion litres of water, equivalent to 3200 Olympic swimming pools, and is around 60 metres deep. It was a working pit until 2002, and development is expected to start next year.
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Published on: 11 July 2008
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