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Interconnector to adapt network to reduced abstraction from River Itchen

Southern Water is building a strategic pipeline to make its network more flexible as it addresses unsustainable abstraction from the River Itchen.

It is constructing an 18.5km interconnector between Testwood Water Supply Works in Totton and Otterbourne WSW, as well as enhancing the treatment facilities at the Testwood site.

This will help secure supplies as the Environment Agency changes the conditions of its abstraction licence for the River Itchen, cutting the amount available over the summer.

Under the licence change, Southern will not be able to draw water from the river when flow drops between 198 megalitres a day between June and September.

Meyrick Gough, Southern Water’s water quality and strategy manager, said: “This scheme is an important part of our plans, along with metering and leakage reduction, to make up the deficit in water resources caused by the change in the licence on the River Itchen and to ensure sure we can continue to provide enough water to supply our customers, particularly during periods of severe drought.

“The Testwood scheme will help provide a better balance between the way the River Test and the River Itchen are used for public water supply, which will benefit both customers and the environment.”