Bristol Water revives plans for new reservoir to boost water supply resilience

Bristol Water has restarted plans to build a second large reservoir south of the existing Cheddar Reservoir, which had been shelved in 2018. Work is now underway, with engineers surveying the land, aiming for completion by 2033. The previous decision to drop the project was based on cost concerns and a focus on reducing leaks. However, growing population demands and climate change have prompted a reevaluation of the need for additional water storage. South West Water, which now owns Bristol Water, is investing £2.8 billion in water infrastructure across the region. This investment includes plans for the new reservoir, which aims to enhance water supply resilience for Bristol and surrounding areas.