Bristol Water is delivering a major programme of improvements to the pipes, treatment works and reservoirs that supply drinking water across the region over the next four years.

Around £66 million is being invested in maintaining and upgrading the everyday parts of the network – the filters, pipes, tanks and treatment processes that make sure the water company continues to supply customers with a clean, safe and resilient supply of water.

The plan will deliver practical improvements customers will notice, leading to fewer interruptions, a more reliable system, and infrastructure that can better handle climate pressures such as hotter summers, heavier rainfall and a growing population.

Over the next four years, the work will include:

• upgrading water treatment works so they can clean water more efficiently
• installing new pipes and replacing older ones to reduce leaks and bursts
• improving water meters to help customers understand and manage their use
• protecting reservoirs so water stays cleaner before it’s treated

The investment includes the replacement of 130 miles of pipe – roughly the distance from Bristol to Newquay.

Making water treatment more efficient

Several major upgrades are already underway at water treatment works across the region.

• Cheddar Water Treatment Works – £6.5 million to upgrade filters and UV treatment, which purifies water without affecting taste
• Stowey Water Treatment Works – £23 million for new filters that use fewer chemicals, making the process more efficient and environmentally friendly.
• Littleton Water Treatment Works – £25 million to install the same advanced technology.

Together, these upgrades increase the amount of drinking water that can be cleaned at any one time, helping the system cope better during busy periods like heatwaves.

Looking after reservoirs and stored water

Reservoirs play a crucial role in water quality. Keeping them in good condition means water arrives at treatment works cleaner and needs less processing before it reaches customer taps.

Bristol Water is investing £5.75 million to safeguard raw water storage at sites including at Blagdon Lake Tower, Pucklechurch Service Reservoir, and Barrow.

Richard Stanbrook, General Manager for Drinking Water Services at Bristol Water, said:

“Much of the investment we are making in Bristol from 2025-2030 takes place out of sight, so customers understandably want to know how it benefits them. When you hear a large investment figure, it’s not always obvious what that means in day-to-day terms.

“These improvements are about protecting the reliability and quality of our water supply. They help ensure water continues to flow as it should, tastes as it should, and remains resilient during periods of extreme weather, both now and for the future.”