More than 20 stakeholders across the Newhaven, Lewes and Eastbourne area came together on 15 October for an open discussion about where drinking water will come from in the future.

The meeting held by South East Water, Southern Water and Lewes District Council, involved regulators, local authorities and environmental organisations, with everyone signing up to be part of future conversations to identify the best way to solve this challenging issue.

Set against a backdrop of an increasing population, climate change and changes to how everyone uses water, new water sources are needed to ensure communities can continue to be supplied with drinking water during dry periods from 2030.

Nick Price, Head of Water Resources at South East Water, said:

“Every five years we create a water resources management plan which details how we’ll strike that delicate balance between ensuring there’s sufficient water to supply a growing population, while protecting the environment and adding value to society.

“We’ve always engaged with key groups to help form our plans, but we’re keen to go one step further and work at a more local level for our next plan, which will be published in 2029.

“By engaging with local communities and organisations they can be involved in discussions at an early stage, understand what’s possible, and deep dive into potential solutions for the future, whether that’s new reservoirs, water recycling, demand management or catchment management options.

“The expertise from those who attended the session was second to none, and all were extremely positive about the potential of creating a 2029 water resources management plan which everyone in the community can support and help deliver.”

Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems at Lewes District Council, commented:

“Our council has put protecting and restoring nature, including our rivers and seas, at the heart of our plans, and we were concerned that there hadn’t been enough local consultation on South East Water’s future plans including for the River Ouse.

“It was therefore a big win to have not only South East Water but Southern Water, Ofwat and the Environment Agency come together along with local environmental groups to hear our concerns in our offices in Newhaven, right next to the Ouse.”