The UK reservoir sector is going through a period of transformation
After exponential expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries, major reservoir construction ceased at the end of the 20th century. No new major water supply reservoirs have been constructed for the last 30 years.
In the 21st century, population-driven water demand and changing water use are stressing existing resources. There are also concerns about the environmental consequences of past water extraction practices. It is uncertain what effects climate change will have on the reliability of hydrology and the risk of droughts and flash flooding, but we have already seen more extreme periods of drier and wetter weather that increase the pressure on reservoirs and other water resources.
Water regulator Ofwat has encouraged water companies to investigate and develop strategic water resource solutions to address these concerns. This has resulted in options studies for new or expanded reservoirs, boreholes, bulk raw water transfers and desalination plants. More than 10 new reservoirs are currently being proposed in the UK.
Published in New Civil Engineer
Matt Coombs, Binnies reservoir delivery director and a Supervising Engineer shares his thoughts on the resources challenge and proposes possible ways to address these challenges.
Read the full article