Southern Water Plans Norway Water Imports

Southern Water, one of the UK's largest water companies, is considering a plan to import up to 45 million liters of water daily from Norway as a contingency measure against potential droughts in the early 2030s. The company is in talks with Extreme Drought Resilience Service to transport water from Norwegian fjords, a move that could incur additional costs for customers already facing a 44% increase in bills over five years. Critics have labeled the plan as 'utterly ludicrous', arguing that Southern Water should focus on fixing its leaking infrastructure, which loses 19% of its total water supply daily. The Environment Agency has raised concerns regarding Southern Water's heavy reliance on groundwater and chalk streams, especially as the company is also under scrutiny for serious pollution incidents. The proposed water importation plan is tied to the anticipated delays in the construction of the new Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first in the UK in over three decades. As the situation evolves, the feasibility and environmental implications of transporting water such distances remain contentious topics.