We understand that water and the environment are intrinsically linked. That’s why we’re the first UK water company to implement a 25-year environment plan.
As a drinking water-only company with 2.3 million customers, we recognise the need to protect our valuable and finite water sources.
With the increasing pressures of climate change, population growth, flooding, drought and change in water use, we need to make sure there is enough water for the environment and future generations.
It’s everyone's responsibility, from water companies to local authorities to businesses and customers, to protect this precious resource.
What is H25?
The plan was created following two years of extensive consultation with more than 200 customers, stakeholders, and employees.
One unilateral message from the feedback we received was clear: water companies cannot alone deliver everything needed to future-proof our raw water sources.
H25 focuses on four key areas which are:
- Safe water – futureproofing water for the environment and next-generation
- Climate change – building an environment that adapts to a changing climate
- Sustainability – protecting and enhancing our natural environment
- Partnerships – working collaboratively to keep rivers and underground water sources healthy
Pilot projects are underway across our supply which involve our customers, partners, businesses and communities.
Never standing still, we will review and update H25 regularly, at least every five years.
Safe water
Future-proofing water for the environment and the next generation.
We will do this by
- Working on ways to sustainably source water and reduce usage.
- Learning more about water sources to have the right mix of sources and storage
- Developing ways to improve the quality of water at the source, using data to improve our understanding.
- Ensuring the capacity to store, clean and provide water into the future.
Climate change
We're building an environment that adapts to climate change
We will do this by:
- Reducing emissions and minimising the demand for energy in the future
- Valuing nature and ensuring our business decisions reflect long-term climate change predictions
- Monitoring the impacts of climate change and exploring nature-based solutions
- Ensuring water sources can adapt to climate change
- Creating a positive impact on the environment through wider health and wellbeing opportunities
Sustainability
We're committed to protecting and enhancing our natural environment
We will do this by:
- Reducing waste, using chemicals inside the company, and incentivising those outside to do the same.
- Developing strategies to improve natural diversity and counter threats from Invasive Non-Native species
- Protecting habitats and designing ways to avoid environmental harm.
- Enhancing our Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- Sourcing sustainable materials to build networks that add to landscapes
Partnerships
We're working with partners to keep rivers and underground water sources healthy
We will do this by
- Creating widespread partnerships for data sharing and education
- Delivering solutions to drive innovation and embed charge for long-term environmental benefits
- Building relationships to help reduce water use
- Working with science and academic organisations to advance knowledge of water
- Testing the art of the possible with partners
Showcasing our plan
We held an event at the Long Man Brewery in Polgate to showcase the steps we’ve taken since the plan launched in 2023.
Our stakeholders were invited to see our work as part of the Chalk Stream project to clean our rivers and streams and our smart metering project, which we have piloted at the Long Man Brewery.
The walking tour was a significant part of our event, offering a firsthand view of Lullington Heath, a site we own and is managed by Natural England. This heath, recently named one of the first five in the King's series of National Nature Reserves, is also potentially being expanded to be a Super National Nature Reserve.
As part of the tour, our Biodiversity Manager, Richard Dyer, gave a great insight into our Wart Biter Cricket reintroduction programme(opens in a new tab).
More details of the case studies can be seen in our videos below.