Water is a precious natural resource so caring for it and the environment is at the heart of our business.

Southern Water works with the environment by:

• Responsible abstraction of water from rivers and underground aquifers
• Ensuring the quality of wastewater recycled to rivers and the sea
• Protecting wildlife and habitats on our land
• Supporting wildlife projects across the company’s operating area

Water Abstraction

The abstraction of underground water can affect the flows of rivers and streams and consequently the wildlife they support.

Southern Water has licences to abstract water from 132 locations and the amount of water we are allowed to take is set by the Environment Agency.

We monitor our systems and transfer water from one area to another to ensure we comply with the licences.

Wastewater Treatment

The company runs 370 wastewater treatment works and employs more than 500 people to ensure these works meet standards set by the Environment Agency to protect the quality of water in rivers and seas.

Despite increasing populations and unpredictable weather patterns we continue to  protect important rivers such as the Test, in Hampshire, Adur, in Sussex, and Medway, in Kent, aswell as important coastal habitats such as Langstone and Chichester Harbours.

Protecting Wildlife

The company is a major landowner in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and many of our treatment works are located on secluded sites which are a rich habitat for birds, wildlife and plants.

Some have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including our reservoirs at Bewl Water, Weir Wood, Powdermill, Darwell and Testwood.

Southern Water has formally developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) which follows internationally accepted standards.

We work hard to minimise the impact of our operations on natural habitats and often work in partnership with conservation groups and educational organisations.

When we carry out major projects, such as laying a pipeline or building a new works, we ensure detailed environmental assessments are carried out to identify wildlife and habitats and archaeological features in the area and how they can be protected.

This is carried out in conjunction with local authorities, Natural England, wildlife trusts and ecological specialists and archaeologists.

Supporting wildlife projects

The South East contains some rare habitats and their wildlife and Southern Water contributes towards conservation projects such as the Sussex Otters and Rivers Partnership.