Somerset is grappling with the hottest summer on record, a situation that has significantly lowered water levels in local reservoirs and intensified concerns about future water security. The Met Office has announced that the summer of 2025 was, on average, 1.5°C warmer each day than the previous record in 2018, and markedly hotter than the iconic 1976 heatwave.
As a result, Cheddar Reservoir now holds much less water than usual, causing disruptions including the provision of bottled water to some residents in North Somerset due to issues at the reservoir’s treatment plant.
In response, local authorities and water companies are seeking public input on a proposed new reservoir—dubbed “Cheddar Two.” This facility, planned to be similar in size and located south of the existing reservoir, aims to be operational by 2035.
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Without this new reservoir, the Environment Agency warns of a potential daily water shortfall of 202 million litres in the South West, threatening the water supply of approximately 1.87 million people. While leak reductions in current infrastructure will help mitigate shortages, they won’t fully address growing demand driven by population growth and agricultural and commercial needs.
The initiative is coordinated by West Country Water and Environment (WCWE), a coalition including Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, the Environment Agency, South West Water, and Wessex Water. WCWE programme director Steve Lanzon emphasizes the critical need to adapt to climate change and population pressures through sustainable water solutions.
“Our challenge is to secure reliable and environmentally responsible water supply,” Lanzon states. “Cheddar Two is a strategic step to safeguard our water resources for future generations.”
The existing Cheddar Reservoir, fed by the Cheddar Yeo river, provides drinking water for around 500,000 homes across areas including Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire. The new reservoir will source water from both the Cheddar Yeo and River Axe, focusing supply on Somerset Council’s territory and nearby regions.
To support this, new underground pipelines will be constructed to transport water efficiently to North Petherton and further east of the Quantock Hills, servicing communities like Kilve, Watchet, and Williton. These pipelines will cross beneath key landscapes and infrastructure—such as the River Parrett, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the Bristol to Exeter railway, and the M5 motorway—without impacting the natural environment visually.
Lanzon highlights that the project includes environmental compensation measures to offset construction impacts, improve river flows, and enhance habitats for local wildlife, especially during droughts. By reducing dependence on unsustainable river water abstraction, the project aims to balance water supply with ecosystem health.
Public consultations are underway with in-person events scheduled for September 16, 19, and 20 at community halls in Cross, Axbridge, and Bampton respectively. The initial consultation phase closes on October 1, with further engagement expected throughout 2026 before formal planning applications in 2027.
Subject to approvals, initial construction could commence by the end of 2028, with full operations projected by 2035. This ambitious project represents a forward-looking approach to securing Somerset’s water future amid climate challenges.