Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) water companies and (b) local authorities on building new reservoirs to ensure water security.

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including water companies and local authorities, on many issues related to the water sector.

Water companies have a statutory duty to provide a secure supply of water for customers set out in their Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs). These plans are statutory and will set out how each company will continue to meet this duty and manage water supply and demand, including system leakages for at least the next 25 years. Within their plans, water companies must consider all options, including demand management and new water resources including reservoirs water transfers. They must also consult on their plans, including with local authorities.

The most recent WRMPs contain proposals for delivery of multiple new schemes by 2050, including 9 new reservoirs. Water companies continue to develop their reservoir proposals with relevant stakeholders including local authorities to ensure long-term water security.