Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that it has acquired two high profile reservoirs, Lisvane and Llanishen, in Cardiff.

The company, which provides water and sewerage services to over three million people across much of Wales, Deeside and Herefordshire, has secured the 999 year lease for Lisvane and Llanishen reservoirs and the surrounding land from CELSA UK. The international steel company bought the site and reservoirs from Western Power Distribution in 2013.

The acquisition will enable Welsh Water to strengthen its drinking water resources in the Cardiff area whilst also enabling the company to help any future economic growth and development in the capital city. The lease, whilst allowing Welsh Water to use both reservoirs for water supply and recreational purposes, will also enable CELSA UK to continue to take its water supply from Lisvane reservoir.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Chief Executive, Chris Jones, said:

“We provide the most essential of public services and so it is important that the decisions we make benefit our customers now and long into the future. By acquiring the long term lease of Lisvane and Llanishen reservoirs, we can strengthen the resilience of the services we provide whilst also playing a key part in safeguarding what is a much valued asset for us and the local community. We have been working closely with CELSA UK to secure this agreement, which offers a truly sustainable solution for the site, its recreational users and local residents.”

Luis Sanz, Managing Director of CELSA UK, said:

“CELSA is one of the biggest recycling companies in the UK and Welsh Water share our commitment to maintaining the highest environmental standards for the site. The reservoir has always supplied our plant and this announcement means we can continue to use the water at the same time as creating the best solution for the community. “I want to thank everyone who has helped us reach this point. This would not have been possible without everyone working together to find the best solution. We take our responsibility to the local community, and as a Welsh anchor business, extremely seriously. Ensuring that the high environmental standards that run throughout all our work are shared by Welsh Water has been very important to us.”