Mims Davies MP speaks on Weir Wood and Ardingly Reservoir in Westminster Hall | Mims Davies
You can access the full debate transcript here: Water Scarcity - Hansard - UK Parliament
Water scarcity is an issue I have rightfully received lot of correspondence on since the summer from constituents sharing their deep concerns and worries about the escalating local water supply issues impacting our constituency of East Grinstead, Uckfield and the villages. The reality is residents, wildlife, properties and farming, horticulture and all businesses are also affected and we need to build better, create better and manage water systems better for our communities.
It is now very clear the worryingly low levels of rainfall we have been experiencing at times are set on becoming more frequent and I have met, and talked, to South East Water (SEW) many times about this issue to make sure my constituents concerns are being heard and measures are being put in place to address them. I have also met with Southern Water at multiple House of Commons events and updates as a vital part of my role representing you.
Ardingly Reservoir and Balcombe Oil Exploration
There is no doubt our communities understand the huge drive and real need for a sustainable approach to using our local and national water supplies, to help the service continue to provide the public with vital drinking water. However, we know a lot more houses are coming to Sussex as the Labour Government has ramped up its quotas and demands on rural areas (an average doubling—a 100 per cent increase—of housebuilding target) and so harnessing our water capacity to its fullest is going to be truly vital. Good water quality and a better customer experience for all water bill payers is crucial in this matter too.
As your local MP, I am determined to get answers so our water needs can be fully addressed. On behalf of my constituents, I wrote to the Secretaries of State for the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in October, saying,
‘As you are no doubt aware, here in Sussex we are experiencing an active shortage situation. On the 10th of October, the Environmental Agency formally moved into drought status for the parts of Sussex aligned to the South East Water (SEW) supply area – a decision driven by risks to public water supply following exceptionally high demand coupled with continued dry weather.
Sussex is known to be as water-stressed as Morocco and concerns have been repeatedly raised about the fragility of our core water infrastructure and its ability to cope with both ongoing and future demands placed on it by large scale housing developments being mandated across our rural communities.
We must acknowledge the seriousness of the water shortage and infrastructure failings in Sussex and take concrete steps to address this ongoing challenge to our water supplies’
In the letter, I also raised serious, on-going concerns about Angus Energy’s speculative oil exploration in Balcombe as a potential contamination risk to Ardingly Reservoir – the River Ouse in close proximity, along with smaller streams & tributaries only metres from this site, feeds into our water supply system. You can read more about the concerns raised by my constituents here:
Mims Davies MP's Letter to Ministers on Water supplies | Mims Davies
as well as the response I received from DEFRA
I am still waiting to hear from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
Since then, we have had a major incident declared in Tunbridge Wells with a severe water outage; Ardingly Reservoir was still less than 50% full in Mid-December despite torrential rain; drought orders are still in place; and we have had emergency plans to pump water into Ardingly from Weir Wood reservoir to prevent further collapse.
As one constituent wrote, “This story is no longer a ‘local inconvenience’. It is now national news and it paints a picture of a system failing at the most basic level”
No doubt they are correct and this will continue to be an area I hold all those responsible to account on. I will always share what I have learnt, actions forthcoming and the insights I have in the vital area and on this currently unacceptable situation.
The Weirwood and Ardingly Pipeline Proposal
Most recently, my Senior Caseworker attended an on-site urgent meeting - a SEW Presentation on the possibility of connecting Ardingly and Weir Wood reservoirs by pipeline; I was unable to attend due to voting in Westminster. Following the drought order, SEW admitted they were just one step away from a major meeting with the Secretary of State (a Cobra meeting) to bring forward an emergency process with plans well underway for a standpipe situation being likened to 1976. Ardingly Reservoir was estimated to have only 4 weeks of water left at the time before the much needed recent rain. This is a completely unacceptable state of affairs. Our area is growing and the Labour Government have made it clear they expect more homes to be built and are looking to achieve a further 1.5 million in this Parliament despite the significant constraints in our area and pleas around this level.
The water company updated my team along with Cllr Gary Wall from WSCC and Cllr Loraine Carvalho from MSDC at this hastily drawn up meeting. As the local MP for the two affected reservoirs, I then met with management at the Weir Wood leisure centre in their refurbished cafe and discussed their water sports facility and future plans on the following Thursday. I wanted to hear about the likely impact on members, cafe users, local residents and nearby homes. I am concerned about the possible drastic effect this significant pipeline may have on the layout of the facilities and wider water usage by the community including swimming and boating groups amongst other users. It will, in the longer term, affect my constituency as SEW look for a suitable long-term solution with the first spades in the ground estimated to be in 2027, rather than the previous, panicked measures they were putting forward at such short notice and with very little consultation to deal with the imminent crisis.
While it is true Weir Wood is full of water, I understand the treatment centre has been out of service for several years, which is frankly unfathomable and deeply unfortunate to say the very least. Hence the urgent plan to connect the two reservoirs and treatment facilities- this pressing need now faces the challenge of multiple landowners and compulsory purchases, 2 water companies, pumping uphill amid uneven terrain with precious, ancient woodlands and protected species to safeguard if possible.
I have requested the CEO of SE Water meet with me urgently to provide clarity on how this will all be achieved in the most environmentally sensitive way, alongside mitigating the impact on residents and businesses who have had this bolt from the blue thrust upon them. We know these plans will have a substantial impact on my constituency.
I am very pleased he has agreed to an on-site meeting with his Senior Leadership team at SE Water which has been arranged for very early in the New Year. We will go through all the issues and concerns I have highlighted above. I will keep my constituents updated on this and thank all those who have been in touch and assisting on this so far with their knowledge and insights.
