Bournemouth Water’s £113 million upgrade of the Alderney Water Treatment Works marks a significant investment in the long-term resilience of the UK’s water infrastructure. The large-scale project, which began in October 2023, forms a central part of the utility’s £200 million modernisation programme to future-proof water supplies in the face of climate change.
During a site visit on Wednesday 15 May, Water Minister Emma Hardy MP was joined by Jessica Toale MP for Bournemouth West and toured the site with Susan Davy, CEO of Pennon Group, owner of Bournemouth Water. The delegation reviewed the progress of the major infrastructure project and observed the advanced technology being deployed to secure sustainable water supplies for more than 250,000 customers.
“This is a welcome investment in securing clean, reliable water for the Bournemouth area,” said Water Minister Emma Hardy. “It’s encouraging to see Bournemouth Water taking steps to future-proof supply and improve resilience. The work at Alderney Water Treatment Works shows what’s possible when companies invest in the much-needed long-term resilience of their infrastructure.”
The facility’s transformation includes the replacement of the original plant with a new ceramic membrane treatment system—delivering high-quality drinking water using more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible methods. Bournemouth Water has also installed emergency power generators, laid new pipelines, and added 70 modular filtration units built off-site to reduce local disruption.
Additional improvements include new water pumps, a connected flow balance tank for regulating water movement, and a fully watertight chlorine storage building to ensure safe disinfection processes. Ninety-five percent of the site’s structural cladding is now complete, marking a major milestone in the construction timeline.
Susan Davy, CEO of Pennon, emphasised the project’s regional importance: “Alderney Treatment Works is one of our most significant investments in the region – a project of over £100 million that demonstrates our long-term commitment to both people and our precious environment.”
“As we near completion, this multi-million-pound upgrade will deliver clean, reliable water to thousands of homes and businesses, while cutting carbon and boosting resilience,” she added. “By using advanced technology, we’re building a greener, more efficient network that will serve our communities for many generations to come.”
