South West Water has highlighted the role of repurposed quarries in supporting drinking water supplies, as parts of Devon and Cornwall are in severe drought after months of exceptionally dry weather and the hottest summer on record. The company said former quarry sites it has brought into its network over the past 20 years now provide up to an additional 24 million litres of drinking water a day.
The water company, which is part of Pennon Group, said the sites form part of its investment in raw water resources across the region to increase the resilience of supplies in the face of a changing climate.
Severe drought in Devon and Cornwall
The dry conditions have put water resources in the region under significant pressure, with some reservoirs dropping to critically low levels. Recent rainfall has provided some relief, but the company said the South West needs significantly more rain to secure a sustained recovery over the coming months.
The Environment Agency has said England still needs at least 120% of average rainfall for the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring.
How repurposed quarries add to supply
South West Water acquired Park Lake in 2009, Stannon Lake in 2011 and Blackpool Pit in 2024, bringing the former quarry sites into its water network. In direct response to the 2022 drought, it also obtained Hawks Tor, a disused quarry that can be used during drought conditions.
The company said repurposing these sites is a quicker way to strengthen water supplies than building entirely new reservoirs. The former quarries can store raw water and provide additional resource flexibility, and the company said the increased storage capacity supports drought planning and allows it to make better use of available water resources across the region.
An alternative to building new reservoirs
Paul Merchant, Senior Water Resources Business Partner for South West Water, said: “Some of our reservoirs started life as quarries, which then reached the end of their operational life, allowing us to repurpose them as reservoirs. Repurposing existing sites like this provides a more efficient way of strengthening the water resources network than building a new reservoir.
“By transforming these existing sites into valuable water resources, we can capture and store water when it is available and use it to support supplies throughout the year. Making use of existing infrastructure and landscapes allows us to enhance the network while reducing the need for new large-scale developments and helping to secure reliable drinking water supplies for customers both now and in the future.”
The quarry sites sit alongside plans for new storage. South West Water is progressing plans to build its Cheddar 2 reservoir, which the company said will provide 20 million litres of additional water to customers a day when complete. The company noted that many people ask why more reservoirs have not been built.
Long-term water resource planning
South West Water plans years ahead through its Water Resource Management Plan, which takes account of population growth and climate change, as well as water efficiency and the amount of water lost through leaks.
The plan considers new reservoirs alongside other options to improve the resilience of the network, including pipelines to transfer water between regions, water recycling schemes and storage facilities that increase reserves. The company has published details of its current drought status, the steps it is taking to protect supplies and how customers and businesses can play their part.
H2O Global News has previously reported on South East Water’s consultation on its new Drought Plan 2027–2032.
Frequently asked questions
How much water do South West Water’s repurposed quarries provide?
According to South West Water, its former quarry sites combined provide up to an additional 24 million litres of drinking water a day.
Which former quarries has South West Water added to its water network?
The company acquired Park Lake in 2009, Stannon Lake in 2011 and Blackpool Pit in 2024. In direct response to the 2022 drought, it also obtained Hawks Tor, a disused quarry that can be used during drought conditions.
Why is South West Water repurposing quarries instead of building new reservoirs?
The company said repurposing existing sites is a quicker and more efficient way to strengthen water supplies than building entirely new reservoirs. It is also progressing plans for its Cheddar 2 reservoir.
How much rain does England need to come out of drought?
The Environment Agency has said England needs at least 120% of average rainfall for the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring.
How much water will the Cheddar 2 reservoir provide?
South West Water said the Cheddar 2 reservoir will provide 20 million litres of additional water to customers a day when complete.
