Somerset residents urged to back new reservoir for county
The persistent warm weather and resulting lack of rainfall has left water levels at Cheddar Reservoir much lower than normal
Last updated 15th Sep 2025
Somerset residents are being urged to give their views on building a new reservoir to serve the county after the hottest summer on record.
The Met Office has provisionally confirmed the summer of 2025 has shattered records, being on average 1.5 degrees warmer each day than the previous record set in 2018 and far warmer than the famous heatwave of 1976.
The persistent warm weather and resulting lack of rainfall has left water levels at Cheddar Reservoir much lower than normal – with bottled water being supplied to some residents in the North Somerset area following issues with the reservoir’s treatment plant.
Local residents are now being urged to give their views on building a second, similarly-sized reservoir (dubbed ‘Cheddar Two’) to the south, which could be operational by 2035.
Without building this new reservoir, the Environment Agency (EA) estimates that the south west will have a daily shortage of 202 million litres of water – meaning 1.87 million people could be without water on a daily basis.
While some of this shortfall will be made up by reducing leaks in existing infrastructure, a new reservoir will still be needed to cope with Somerset’s rising population and increasing demand for water, whether for residential, agricultural or commercial uses.
The project is being spearheaded by West Country Water and Environment (WCWE), an umbrella organisation bringing together Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, the Environment Agency, South West Water and Wessex Water.
WCWE programme director Steve Lanzon said: “As we face the dual challenges of climate change and a growing population, we must find new and sustainable ways to secure our water supply while protecting our environment.
“This project represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible water supply for the future.
“In the West Country, we have long relied on our natural water sources, including rivers and underground aquifers.
“However, with changing weather patterns and increasing demand, we must adapt and explore new methods to ensure water security.
“This project is designed to address these challenges head-on.”
The current ‘Cheddar One’ reservoir is fed by the Cheddar Yeo river and predominantly provides drinking water to around 500,000 homes north of the Mendip Hills, including Bristol, Bath and south Gloucestershire.
.The ‘Cheddar Two’ reservoir, fed by the Cheddar Yeo and River Axe, will focus on transporting water to the south, primarily serving the Somerset Council area and small parts of the neighbouring counties.
To achieve this, a new pipeline will be needed to transport water from the reservoir to a service reservoir in North Petherton, making it available for Wessex Water customers in the wider Bridgwater area.
New pipelines will also be constructed to the east of the Quantock Hills, providing additional capacity for the likes of Kilve, Watchet and Williton which currently rely on water pumped from the Maundown treatment works near Wiveliscombe.
By putting this infrastructure in place, more water from Maundown can be pumped towards Tiverton, making it more accessible for South West Water customers in Devon.
These new pipelines will all be built underground to avoid any visual impact on Somerset’s natural landscapes, with the new pipelines flowing under the River Parrett, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the Bristol to Exeter mainline railway and the M5 motorway.
Mr. Lanzon said that the project would include “environmental compensation” to mitigate the construction impact of both the reservoir and the pipelines.
He said: “This project not only helps to secure our water supply but also brings substantial environmental benefits.
“By reducing our reliance on unsustainable river abstractions, we can improve river flows and protect vital ecosystems, particularly during drought conditions.
“Additionally, new environmental compensation areas delivered as part of this project will provide valuable habitats for local wildlife.
“By providing a vital new water source, supporting a balanced and sustainable water supply alongside ongoing efforts to reduce demand and fix leaks across the network, we are confident that the Cheddar Two reservoir and transfer project will set a new benchmark for sustainable water management.
“We invite you to join us on this journey. Your feedback and support are crucial as we strive to build a resilient and sustainable water supply network for the future.
“Together, we can ensure that our water resources are managed responsibly, safeguarding them for future generations.”
Full details of the Cheddar Two proposals can be found at www.westcountrywaterandenvironment.org/flagship-projects/cheddar-reservoir-sro.
For those wishing to take part in the consultation in person, drop-in events will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 16, 4pm-8pm: Cross Memorial Hall, Webbington Road, Cross
Friday, September 19, 4pm-8pm: Axbridge Town Hall, The Square, Axbridge
Saturday, September 20, 12pm-4pm: St Michael’s Community Hall, Barnhay, Bampton
The initial stage of consultation will close on October 1, with further consultation planned throughout 2026 ahead of formal planning being submitted in 2027.
If approval is granted, the earliest stages of construction are expected to begin by the end of 2028, with the full construction expected to run from 2030 to 2034 and the site being fully operational by 2035.