A Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) is a legal document that describes the steps we need to take to make sure there is enough water for everyone in our region, now and in the future, and to protect and enhance our shared environment. We work out how much water we will need in the future and how much will be available to supply from our existing sources. We then identify schemes to bridge any gaps between supply and demand, reducing demand and increasing supply.

Our WRMP 2024 (WRMP24) covers the 50-year period from 2025 to 2075.

Our plan covers the entire area where we supply water. It extends from Kent in the east, through parts of Sussex, to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the west.

The need to invest in new schemes and improve infrastructure means that customer bills will increase. The increase will depend on charging levels agreed with our regulator, Ofwat, in December 2024.

Our website has all the documents related to our WRMP24.

You can also arrange an appointment by emailing wrmp@southernwater.co.uk to view the documents in our Durrington Office:

Southern House, Yeoman Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3NX

The delivery dates for some of our strategic options have been revised. More information regarding these can be found in our main WRMP24 technical document in the executive summary and in Section 3 of the plan.

The WRMP focuses on the future supply of water. You can find out more about our wastewater strategy in our Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP).

Sea tankering would be the last in a suite of options implemented should a severe drought occur between 2030-2034. These include temporary use bans for domestic customers to limit water use in the home, working with businesses to identify innovative ways to significantly reduce the amount of water they use and exploring the potential use of temporary desalination plants.

Importing water by sea tanker is a proposal developed to cater for a severe, 1-in-200-year, drought – if that occurs between 2030 and 2034. While this is statistically unlikely, it’s not impossible and we need to prepare for the worst so we are ready should it happen.

If a period of dry weather begins, we may have to start planning and preparing for water imports on a precautionary basis – but the option may not be needed if the weather conditions change.

Including water imports as a back-up for severe drought is a prudent step that ensures customers’ water supplies are maintained and Hampshire’s chalk streams are protected should a severe drought occur between 2030 and 2034.

Some of our documents contain sensitive information. In order to comply with Security and Emergencies Direction (SEMD), and to keep your water supply safe, we have used alternative names for our existing and planned sites. All of our documents can be viewed in our Durrington Office. You can contact us to arrange a visit to view the documents.

Email: wrmp@southernwater.co.uk.
Visit: Southern House, Yeoman Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3NX

After the consultation, we will publish a Statement of Response which will provide a response to the representations on our plan. If you responded to our consultation, and requested a reply, you will receive a response. Subject to approval from Defra, we will then publish a final WRMP. This final plan will include any changes that we have made as a result of the consultation.

We will consider all feedback received in our plan and, where possible and practical, we will amend our final plan to reflect the views of our customers, regulators and other stakeholders.

Between 11 September and 4 December 2024, we held a public consultation to seek feedback on our revised draft plan. During the consultation period, we held eight in-person roadshow events at locations across our supply area. At each event, customers and stakeholders could find out more about the revised draft plan and speak to members of our team. We also held five webinars that included a presentation about the revised draft plan and a question and answer session.