WRSE attends Grand Union Canal water transfer consultation launch

Water Resources South East (WRSE) Organisational Director, Lee Dance, attended the launch of the non-statutory consultation for the Grand Union Canal (GUC) Transfer scheme.

This innovative scheme forms part of both Water Resources South East and Water Resources West’s regional plans, and is a collaboration between Affinity Water, Severn Trent Water and the Canal & River Trust.

When finished, the scheme could see up to 115 million litres of water per day transferred from Birmingham to Affinity Water’s customers in the Luton area, via the Coventry, Oxford and Grand Union canals.

Highly treated wastewater from a Severn Trent wastewater recycling centre near Birmingham will go through advanced treatment techniques to turn it into purified recycled water before being released into the canal.

After supplementing flows across the canal network, it will be abstracted downstream near Luton and undergo further water treatment to turn it into high quality tap water, before it is ready to supply Affinity Water’s customers.

As well as providing resilient water supplies in the face of a growing population and climate change impacts, the scheme will provide new wildlife habitats, fund improvements to canal infrastructure and offer wider community benefits.

When operational in 2032, this scheme will help Affinity Water reduce the amount of water it receives from Grafham Water, leaving more water available for the Cambridge area, part of the Water Resources East region. 

Affinity Water is consulting on exactly where the water should be abstracted, stored and treated – as well as what added benefits the scheme could provide for the environment and local residents.

Lee Dance, Organisational Director at WRSE said: "This collaboration has been unlocked by the regional planning approach and is a key part of the solution to secure water supplies in the South East and East of England. The combination of advanced treatment technology to recycle water and then transferring it using the existing canal network, makes it a truly innovative, cross-regional solution.

"It will enable Affinity Water to reduce abstraction from sensitive chalk streams to enhance the environment, while also supporting the regeneration of the canal, benefiting both people and nature."

Take part in Affinity Water's consultation on its website to find out more and watch a video about the scheme.