Northumbrian Water has recently published its latest Water Resources Management Plan for 2025-30 (WRMP24) which confirms resilient water supplies for the North East for the next 25 years.
The water company is required to develop a plan every five years setting out how it will provide a reliable and sustainable supply of water to customers.
The WRMP24 plan covers the next 25 years from 2025 to 2050 and was prepared in line with the Water Resources Management Plan Regulations 2007 and Water Resources Management Plan Direction 2022.
Following approval from the Secretary of State, Northumbrian Water published the latest plan in October 2024.
By comparing supply and demand forecasts, the utility has confirmed that in its Northumbrian Water operational area it will have sufficient reliable and sufficient supplies of water to meet customer demand over the planning period. However, it must still ensure that it uses water efficiently. Between 2025 and 2050, the company is planning to reduce leakage from its water pipes by 55 per cent in its Northumbrian Water region and 40 per cent in its Essex & Suffolk Water region.
By comparing supply and demand forecasts in the Essex & Suffolk Water operational area, Northumbrian Water has identified the need for a twin-track approach. In addition to strategies to use water efficiently, it must also invest in new water supply schemes to ensure a sufficient and environmentally sustainable supply of water into the future.
The plan sets out steps to maintain water supplies, which meet forecasted household and business demand, even in the most extreme of droughts.
The water company unveiled its AMP business investment plan for 2025-30 in the Autumn of 2023 which outlines the largest investment to date, including :
- a £50 million investment to repair and replace the aging network of water pipes across the region.
- innovative projects to detect and fix leaks quickly and efficiently together with these investments, all supported by the resources of Kielder Reservoir and the Kielder Water Transfer Scheme
Northumbrian Water said that even though the region will have enough water supplies to meet forecasted demand for generations to come, it was still important to reduce water consumption to ensure fresh water is not taken for granted.
Steps to protect supplies include reducing demand for water by working with customers to promote water efficiency, reduce leakage, and introducing the option of smart water meters.
As well as helping to secure future drinking water, reducing demand also means that there will be less of a need to take water from the environment, or treat as much water, which will reduce the amount of energy used and benefit the environment.
Kieran Ingram, Water Director at Northumbrian Water said:
“This plan sets out everything we hope to achieve over the next 60 years to provide a reliable and resilient service for our customers and generations to come, and we are incredibly proud.
“We are excited to implement the changes set out in the plan, all of which will help to further protect and secure the future of our environment and water resources across the North East.”
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