Poole Transfer Strategic Resource Option

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Who is West Country Water and Environment (WCWE)?

  West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) was formed in 2017, bringing together water companies such as Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, South West Water, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency.

  WCWE’s mission is to ensure a coordinated approach to sustainable water resource management, by exploring water sharing opportunities and understanding regional water needs and impacts.

• Why are we low on water when we have so much rain in England?

  Although England receives a lot of rain, it is not evenly distributed throughout the year or across all locations, making it difficult to capture and store. Climate change is causing hotter, drier summers, increasing the risk of droughts and water shortages. We need to protect rivers and other water bodies from the impacts of flooding and droughts, enhance water quality, and reduce pollution. We must also plan for a growing population that will increase the demand for water. For these reasons, we need to develop new water sources.

  The Environment Agency (the body responsible for protecting and improving the environment) has highlighted that by 2050, we will need an extra 4.8 billion litres of water per day nationally to meet future demands and avoid shortages.

• What is WCWE doing already to address this?

  The water companies that form the WCWE are addressing water supply shortfalls by maintaining and fixing their pipelines and encouraging customers to use water wisely. To learn more about their plans for managing their water supplies, you can visit their websites, which detail how they plan to balance water supply and demand for the next 25 years.

  However, even with these efforts to reduce water consumption and fix leaks, a significant shortfall in the future water supply is still predicted.

• How is WCWE proposing to address the water shortfall?

  In the West Country, the shortfall is projected to be up to 202 million litres of water per day by 2050, meaning 1.87 million people could be without water. To address this shortfall, large-scale solutions that create new regional water resources are required. These solutions are known as Strategic Resource Options (SROs).

  In our region, we’re developing the Poole Water Recycling and Transfer SRO, which was selected following an extensive options assessment due to its ability to provide a sustainable water source. A sustainable water source means managing water resources to balance availability, usage, and quality while protecting the environment. Sustainable water sources also consider future demands, so they are resilient to climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods, and support the local economy and community as the population grows.

  In addition to this project, we’re also developing other SROs to address the anticipated shortfall in water supply. Reservoirs are an essential part of this, so we’re exploring the feasibility of a second reservoir at Cheddar. In addition, our Mendip Quarries project is looking to see how we could repurpose former and now unused quarries to store water for dry periods.

• How does the project work?

  The project will divert approximately 30 million litres per day of treated water from the Poole Water Recycling Centre via a new pipeline to a new Water Recycling Centre at Corfe Mullen where it will undergo advanced purification. After advanced purification, the water will be taken via two new pipelines and released into the River Stour at two locations – one upstream of Sturminster Marshall and the other via a new wet woodland area.

  The water will then be abstracted (taken out) downstream at Longham Lakes. Finally, the water will be treated again at the Alderney Water Treatment Works before being supplied to Bournemouth Water customers.

• How was the location of the Water Recycling Centre selected?

  The land selection for the new Water Recycling Centre was carefully planned to find a suitable location near the River Stour. The goal was to avoid built-up areas, minimise disruption to local residents, and steer clear of flood zones, the Wild Purbeck Nature Improvement Zone, and other sensitive environments. Our environmental, planning, and engineering teams collaborated to assess the most suitable land using publicly available data. They considered 18 key factors, ranging from biodiversity to existing infrastructure connections, with a preference for existing sites owned by Wessex Water, to ensure the best options were considered.

• How were the locations of the release points selected?

  We have carefully selected the most suitable locations for the release points of purified recycled water into the River Stour. The first point was identified after assessing several sites along the River Stour, to mitigate the risk of lower river levels upstream from the proposed wet woodland release. This has been based on modelling that considers climate change and future environmental requirements with the aim of improving river flows. We have selected a spot where the added flows will provide more benefit to the river’s levels during droughts, whilst reducing environmental impacts and disturbances to nearby homes. Our goal was to find where we could safely raise river levels, and minimise the effects on the environment, local residents, and cost.

  The location of the second release point was chosen via a proposed new wet woodland area. This location was chosen because of the potential for us to create a new wet woodland habitat to enhance biodiversity and minimise any potential impact and construction disturbances. Preference was also given to existing sites owned by Wessex Water.

• How will construction impact the local community?

  If you live or work near the proposed pipeline, you may be affected by construction. We will assess environmental and social impacts as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. This assessment will consider several potential areas of disturbance from construction, including noise, traffic, and dust, as well as how to minimise any negative impacts (known as mitigation measures). Mitigation measures may include designing to avoid impacts, such as routing the pipeline away from sensitive areas, reducing construction impacts, like using quieter machinery to limit noise, and addressing residual impacts after the project has been constructed, such as reinstating land to complement the surrounding landscape. Local knowledge from consultations can help to identify and minimise issues.

  The outcomes of this assessment, including any mitigation measures, will be detailed in an Environmental Statement, which we will present at a later date once the assessment has concluded.

• Will I receive recycled water?

  No, you won’t directly receive recycled water. Bournemouth Water customers will receive up to 25 million litres per day of water from its existing supply that has been mixed with purified recycled water within the River Stour.

• When will customers receive this water?

  It is likely that customers will receive this water from 2035. Whilst this may seem like a long way in the future, this is due to the amount of work required to design, plan and construct the project.

• Who is paying for the project?

  Like all our costs, funding for upgrades and maintenance on the water supply system is averaged across water supply customers’ bills across our region.

  The total cost of the project and any impact on future customer bills depends on the final design for the project, which is still being developed.

• How will the project obtain planning permission?

  The project is being developed by carrying out studies to understand the environment near the location of the project. After conducting these initial studies and identifying potential pipeline routes, we’re moving to the next stage: developing the project design to a level suitable for a planning application. An essential part of the planning process is the Environmental Impact Assessment, which involves detailed studies and assessments to understand the potential effects on the environment, such as on local wildlife, water quality and landscape and visual. We also consider how to mitigate any negative impacts.

  The project falls within the boundaries of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and Dorset Council. These councils will review the planning application to ensure it complies with local planning policies and regulations. They will consider various factors, including potential effects on the community, environment, and local infrastructure. The councils will also take into account feedback from the community and other stakeholders before deciding whether to grant planning permission.

• How can I be involved in the development of the project?

  We will hold a public consultation from 23 April to 21 May 2025, where you can learn about the project and share your feedback. A second public consultation will be held next year as we progress with the design of the project.

  As part of this consultation, we’re holding two drop-in events where you can explore our consultation materials and meet and ask questions to members of our project team. The details of the drop-in events are as follows;

  • Thursday 1 May, 4pm to 8pm: Kinson Community Centre, Millhams Road, Bournemouth BH10 7LH
  • Saturday 17 May, 12pm to 4pm: Corfe Mullen Village Hall, Towers Way, Wimborne BH21 3UA​

  Consultation materials will also be available at the following three deposit locations, which are information hubs where you can view and take away hard copies of the consultation documents​:

  • BCP Council Hub and Library, 22 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RQ
  • BCP Council Hub and Library, 29 High Street, Christchurch BH23 1AW 
  • BCP Council Hub and Library, Kingland Road, Poole BH15 1QE 

  The easiest way to respond to our public consultation is by completing our online feedback form.

  Paper copies of the feedback form will be available at our drop-in events and deposit locations. You can send paper copies of the feedback form or write to FREEPOST WCWE SRO CONSULTATION. You don’t need a stamp, just make sure you copy the Freepost address correctly, in uppercase. Please make your handwriting as clear as possible.

• How is the project regulated?

  The Regulators' Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) regulates the project, and includes Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The project follows the RAPID gated process, which was designed to support the funding of large water infrastructure projects that will benefit customers and the environment. We will provide updates on the project at each RAPID gate, at which point Ofwat reviews the updates and then decides whether to continue funding the project's development. This process ensures the project is monitored for progress, efficiency and value for money.

  Furthermore, the project has been developed in accordance with each water company's Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which outlines the available water resources, future water demand, and strategies to meet that demand. Each WRMP is submitted to and approved by Ofwat.

• What is water recycling?

  Water recycling involves advanced treatment processes to turn highly treated wastewater into purified water. This process is a sped-up version of the natural water cycle, allowing water to be used again faster. The advanced treatment process is informed by decades of expertise from water recycling projects across the world and the UK, to provide a sustainable supply of purified recycled water.

• Is recycled water any different to what we use now?

  The water you will receive from your taps will still be of the same high quality that you currently receive, but the treatment processes used will differ slightly.

  In the UK, water recycling is already happening in some areas as treated wastewater re-enters the water system. The project enhances this by using advanced purification to ensure high-quality water, providing a reliable and sustainable supply while protecting the environment and ecosystems.

• Will water recycling be used just in a drought, or more regularly?

  While we’re still confirming exactly how the project will operate, the aim is to ensure drought resilience by maintaining essential water supplies and protecting the River Stour's flow and habitats. However, a continuous 'sweetening flow' of water will be released year-round to keep the system ready for higher capacity during droughts and to provide flexibility for future demand growth.

• What treatment techniques will the project use in the water recycling process?

  Drawing on decades of experience from water recycling projects around the world such as California and Singapore, our water recycling process will be designed to protect both people and the environment. We’re working with specialists to find the best advanced purification process and we’re now testing and setting up a pilot plant—a small-scale version of the full system—to see how it performs over time.

  As part of this selection process, we’re considering various advanced treatment techniques to purify the water before it is released into the environment. The process will likely involve a combination of:

  Filtration: water passed through filters and membranes—with holes thousands of times smaller than a human hair—to remove even the tiniest particles and microorganisms. These filters are like a super-fine sieve that catches everything from large debris to microscopic contaminants.

  Adsorption: physically sticking or bonding ions and molecules onto the surface of another molecule, similar to a specially engineered sponge, where tiny particles from pollutants attach themselves to the sponge's surface and are removed. This includes dissolved micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and "forever chemicals".

  Ultraviolet light: used to disinfect the water and eradicate even the smallest viruses, pathogen and bacteria.

• Does water recycling remove things such as viruses and pharmaceuticals?

  Yes, water recycling is extremely effective at removing viruses, pharmaceuticals and “forever chemicals” from water used as a source for drinking water supplies.

• Is recycled water the same as storm overflow releases?

  No, recycled water is different to storm overflow releases.

  Storm overflows release wastewater that has been heavily diluted by rain. This is to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses.

  We’re planning to use recycled water to supplement water in the River Stour.

• Will I still get high quality drinking water?

  Yes, your drinking water will go through three stages of treatment to ensure it is of the highest quality. This treatment begins at the existing Poole Water Recycling Centre, and then the water undergoes advanced treatment at the new Water Recycling Centre at Corfe Mullen, and finally it is treated a third time at the Alderney Water Treatment Works, to meet England’s high drinking water standards before being put into supply.

  The UK is one of the best in the world for drinking water quality, as the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) ensures the safety of drinking water by setting high quality standards, monitoring water companies' compliance, and conducting inspections. They also review risk assessments and can enforce actions if standards are not met. Additionally, the DWI provides guidance to help water companies maintain high water quality.

• Does this water taste any different?

  We don’t anticipate your drinking water will taste different. This is because the recycled water will mix with the river water that is currently put into your drinking water supply and is subject to a number of treatment processes.

• Are there any environmental effects of water recycling on the River Stour?

  Overall, we expect the project to have a positive environmental effect on the River Stour. Adding recycled water to the river will help maintain water levels which would otherwise be reduced to supply water.

  The impact on the river will be regulated by the Environment Agency, who will issue two types of permits for activities affecting the River Stour – a release permit to ensure water quality is maintained, and an abstraction licence to guarantee sufficient flow within the river. The project won’t release water when river levels are high, avoiding any increased flood risk.

  As part of this permitting, we’re undertaking monitoring to understand water quality in the river. The information obtained from these surveys will be used to design a treatment process that will make sure recycled water does not have any negative effects on the water quality parameters which the Environment Agency have identified are important for the river.

  Furthermore, we’re conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which will evaluate the potential impacts of the project. The findings will be detailed in an Environmental Statement (ES) submitted with the planning application.

• Why release recycled water into the River Stour, why not pump directly to the Water Supply Works?

  The benefit of releasing recycled into the River Stour is that it will help maintain water levels. By maintaining water levels in the River Stour that would otherwise be reduced to supply drinking water, this means that we can reduce abstractions on the Hampshire Avon, safeguarding its flow and habitats from climate change impacts. As rivers in our region are already stressed, this is crucial to protect these valuable aquatic environments and the wildlife that depend upon them.

• Why will there be two release locations?

  Having two release locations allows more control over the amount of water entering the River Stour at any given time. One release will be via a new area of wet woodland, which will also provide an improved natural habitat.

• How much water will go into and then be taken out of the River Stour?

  The amount of water that will go into and out of the River Stour is still being confirmed and will be determined following water resource modelling.

  The current assumption is that approximately 30 million litres of water per day will be treated at the new Water Recycling Centre at Corfe Mullen before being released into the River Stour, with 25 million litres per day being abstracted at Longham Lakes. Any water that has not been abstracted and mixed into the supply will replenish the river and ensure a steady water supply, even during dry periods.

• Will the project benefit Poole Harbour and how?

  The solution offers multiple environmental benefits and a drought-resilient water resource. It will improve flows along 15km of the River Stour during dry summers and reduce abstraction from the Hampshire Avon. As a result, it will divert wastewater from entering Poole Harbour, enhancing water quality.