Amid concerns over 'water scarcity' on the Isle of Wight, Southern Water has unveiled plans for a new water recycling plant on the Island — the first of four to be built across the region.

The utility firm is proposing to build on land owned by the Isle of Wight Council, next to its current wastewater treatment works site in Sandown.

It hopes the site will create a new sustainable source of water to maintain the Island’s supplies.

The company has also sought to allay fears over the impact the plant could have on the River Yar.

In the event of a drought, the plant would be capable of pumping up to eight million litres of purified recycled water a day into the river at Alverstone, via a new pipeline.

The River Yar runs near Morton Common and Golf Links Road, which have suffered extensive flooding over the years.

Read more: 

"Shock and sadness" at sudden death of Island speedway manager

Man suffers serious injuries in Long Lane crash

Addressing concerns, James Rushforth, programme design manager, told the County Press: "This is only when the river is really low and has capacity to take the flow."

Southern Water added the chances of a drought are one in 200 and said monitoring of the river levels would take place beforehand.

Currently, around one-third of the Island's water supply comes from the River Test in Hampshire and is pumped across from the mainland.

However, Southern Water says the amount it can take from there has been reduced to protect the delicate chalk stream ecosystem.

The company plans to use water recycling technology, and treatment techniques, to turn highly treated wastewater into purified recycled water.

Southern Water says pumping recycled water into the Yar would allow more water to be taken downstream from the river at the Sandown water supply works site during a drought.

While there, water taken from the river would continue to be treated to strict drinking water standards before being sent into supply. 

Simon Cook, capital programme manager, said: “It’s all part of our plan to use water more wisely.

"This means reducing leakage and improving water efficiency in homes and businesses, but it also means looking at new ways of using the treated wastewater that is currently wasted as it’s pumped out to rivers or the sea.”

A series of surveys and investigations are being undertaken at the proposed construction site and along the proposed pipeline route.

A public consultation is planned for the winter/early next year to give Islanders the chance to have their say,

This will be followed by a planning application to council early next year.

If approved, construction would begin towards the end of 2025, with the water recycling plant operational by 2030.