New reservoir leads to doubling of water storage in Luton and Hemel Hempstead
A new reservoir has lead to the doubling of water storage across Luton and Hemel Hempstead.
The new reservoir at Chaul End provides around 20 million litres of additional water storage and is similar in capacity to eight Olympic-sized swimming pools.
It doubles capacity at the site from just over 21 million litres to around 42 million litres.
Affinity Water says the reservoir sits within the drinking water network, meaning it is ready to supply customers with water when it is needed, giving the company “greater flexibility” during periods of high demand or disruption.
Head of capital delivery at Affinity Water Ben Heyward said: “Chaul End is a major investment in the resilience of the area’s water supply.
“By almost doubling the amount of treated water we can store at the site, we have created a much stronger buffer to help us manage periods of high demand and disruption, particularly when pressure on water resources and the wider network is at its greatest.
“The reservoir was planned as part of our long-term investment in network resilience as we prepare for the challenges of population growth and climate change.
“This year’s hot and dry summer has absolutely demonstrated its value and having Chaul End in service when water resources were under significant pressure was hugely beneficial.
“We’re now applying the lessons from this project as we build Hadham Hill and Hill Reservoirs - strengthening our resilience today and preparing for the challenges ahead.”
The company says that the additional storage at Chaul End will mean that water transferred from Grafham Reservoir in Cambridgeshire can be used more effectively across the network.
Meanwhile, Chaul End will also play a part in Affinity Water’s longer-term plans for new water sources in the region.
The reservoir is due to provide additional storage to help move water through the network as part of the proposed Grand Union canal transfer, bringing water from the Midlands into the company’s supply area by 2033.