Future Water was pleased to welcome the Rt. Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to the Havant Thicket Reservoir site in Hampshire — the first new reservoir to be constructed in the UK since the 1980s. His visit marks a significant milestone in the four-year construction programme and highlights the national importance of sustainable, future-ready water infrastructure.
A Closer Look at Progress on Site
Joined by members of the project team and engineering experts, Mr. Reed explored the scale of the reservoir from a dedicated viewing platform, taking in the vast landscape under development. He also had the opportunity to inspect one of the project’s key engineering features — a newly built reinforced concrete culvert.
This culvert will house the pipelines that transport water from the reservoir to a treatment facility before being distributed to homes and businesses across the region. It forms a critical part of the reservoir’s infrastructure, helping to secure long-term water resilience amid growing demand and climate uncertainty.
Part of a National Strategy
The visit was part of a wider tour by Mr. Reed and Water Minister Emma Hardy, aimed at showcasing how major investments in water infrastructure are supporting:
New housing growth
Local job creation
Regional economic development
Environmental sustainability
Havant Thicket Reservoir stands as a prime example of how strategic infrastructure can address multiple national priorities at once — supporting people, the economy, and the environment.
Reservoir Capacity and Environmental Benefits
When complete, Havant Thicket Reservoir will:
Store up to 8.7 billion litres of water
Supply up to 21 million litres per day during prolonged dry periods
Enable water transfers to Southern Water, easing pressure on ecologically sensitive rivers such as the River Test and River Itchen
These capabilities will be crucial in helping the region adapt to climate change, reduce river abstraction, and improve overall water resilience.
More Than a Reservoir: A Community Space
In addition to securing future water supplies, the reservoir is also being developed with the local community in mind. Planned features include:
A visitor centre to support learning and public engagement
New wetland habitats to promote biodiversity
A network of walking and cycling routes, encouraging active lifestyles and recreational use
This integrated design reflects Future Water’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that brings both environmental and social value to the communities it serves.
Date: 13th September 2024
Future Water is proud to announce that main construction is officially underway at Havant Thicket Reservoir, following a ceremonial groundbreaking event that marks a significant milestone in this nationally important infrastructure project.
The occasion brought together key industry and regulatory leaders, including the Chief Executives of Portsmouth Water and Southern Water, Iain Coucher, Chair of OFWAT, and Simon Moody, Area Director for the Environment Agency. Their presence reflects the strong collaboration across the water sector to deliver long-term solutions for water resilience, environmental protection, and sustainable growth.
Highlighting Future Water’s commitment to education and skills development, the ceremony also featured one of our Future Water apprentices, alongside two pupils from local schools, representing the next generation of engineers. Their involvement underlines the reservoir’s wider value as a platform for learning, engagement, and career inspiration within the water and environmental sectors.
This groundbreaking marks more than just the start of construction — it represents years of planning, partnership, and shared ambition to deliver a project that supports climate resilience, environmental management , and regional growth.
As we move into the next phase of construction, Future Water remains dedicated to supporting the delivery of this vital project, helping to shape a resilient, sustainable water future for generations to come.
The first large-scale new water storage reservoir in the UK since the 1980s took a major step forward as a joint venture between Wales and England-based civil engineering contractors was appointed to build a flagship development.
Mackley, whose head office is in West Sussex, and North Wales-based, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, have united as Future Water MJJV Limited to construct the Havant Thicket Reservoir in Hampshire in a contract worth £167 million.
With more than 150 years’ experience across a wide range of sectors, including water, energy, coastal protection and flood defence, Future Water MJJV is qualified in tackling complex and challenging civil engineering schemes.
As part of the project new £41 million tunnelled pipeline, running to and from the reservoir, is set to be installed by Ward & Burke Construction Limited.
Bob Taylor, chief executive officer at Portsmouth Water, said: “This is a major milestone for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project, and we are overjoyed to have these two exceptional contractors delivering the scheme.
“We were highly impressed by the proposals put forward by Future Water MJJV and Ward & Burke during the tender process, with both companies being able to call upon vastly experienced teams, with strong track records in successfully delivering major infrastructure.”
Future Water director Ben Hamer commented: “Future Water is thrilled to have been selected by Portsmouth Water to deliver this critical piece of water infrastructure for the South East of England. As a regional company, legacy projects, such as this, are central to the values of our staff and stakeholders.”
Mr Hamer’s fellow director John Dielhof added: “It’s a project that we can’t wait to get started on because we know how much of a positive impact it will have on the region.
“The scheme will safeguard dozens of jobs for our skilled workforce, as well as create opportunities for apprentices and trainees to kickstart their civil engineering career with us.
“In addition, we are eager to see the impact this has on the local economy, through supply chain opportunities and spend in the local area.”
Havant Thicket Reservoir in Havant will secure critical water supplies for the South East of England, an area that’s already under serious water stress. It will also help protect environmentally sensitive chalk streams and create a new green leisure facility to benefit local communities and wildlife.
Once completed in 2029, the reservoir will hold approximately 8.7 billion litres of water and be able to supply up to 21 million litres of water each day. It will be one mile from east to west, half a mile from north to south, with a new wetland on its northern shore, and is being built on a 160-hectare grassland site which has been owned by Portsmouth Water since the mid-1960s.
A new two-mile long pipeline, which is designed to be largely tunnelled, will also be built to fill Havant Thicket Reservoir in the winter with surplus water pumped from nearby Bedhampton Springs. It would also be used to draw water from the reservoir to supply customers when it’s needed.
The reservoir was granted formal planning permission in October 2021, with a further planning application for the new pipeline expected to be submitted in Summer 2023.
Ofwat, the economic regulator for water companies in England and Wales, recently published its final decision to agree a revised budget for the Havant Thicket Reservoir scheme. This has enabled Portsmouth Water to award the two main design and construction contracts for the project, with further contracts, including for a new visitor centre at the reservoir, to be awarded in the coming years.
Bob Taylor commented: “‘The final decision from Ofwat on the project’s updated budget will ensure the reservoir scheme can be funded and deliver good value for money for customers, while safeguarding water supplies and supporting nature.
“The innovative regulatory and commercial approach that’s being taken has enabled us to deliver cost-effective local solutions to regional water resources challenges. We would like to thank our colleagues at Ofwat and Southern Water for their excellent collaborative work.”
Portsmouth Water will finance the Havant Thicket Reservoir scheme through a combination of £150 million of equity funding, provided by investors in the company’s owner Ancala Partners, as well as money that will be borrowed. £120 million of the equity funding will be used this year, with a further £30 million to follow in early 2024.
Ultimately, Havant Thicket Reservoir will be paid for by Southern Water, through its drinking water customer bills. These costs are expected to be spread over many years – to reflect the continued benefits of the reservoir. Portsmouth Water customers are not paying for the reservoir through their drinking water or wastewater bills.
Mackley is an engineering contractor specialising in coastal, fluvial and water sector infrastructure, delivering award-winning projects across southern England, around the UK coast and internationally since 1927.
Mackley employs over 120 people and has its own large fleet of land based and river/maritime plant. With skills in construction, design, environment and stakeholder management they lead complex civil engineering projects and work effectively with wider delivery partners. The company’s specialisms help communities be better prepared for climate change, enhance biodiversity and help maintain water security for people in the south.
Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.
The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.
The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 50 per cent of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years.
