What's happened
Southern Water is considering importing up to 45 million litres of water daily from Norway as a contingency for extreme droughts in the early 2030s. This plan, described as a last resort, follows concerns over water scarcity and environmental impacts from current supply sources in the UK.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported that Southern Water is in early discussions with the Extreme Drought Resilience Service to import water from Norway, emphasizing that this would only be a last-resort measure (Speare-Cole, 2024). Sky News highlighted the company's commitment to reducing reliance on chalk streams, which are under environmental scrutiny (Sky News, 2024). The Guardian noted that the Environment Agency is reviewing Southern Water's plans, reflecting concerns over the company's delayed infrastructure improvements (Kollewe, 2024). Greenpeace UK's chief scientist criticized the importation plan, arguing that it is a costly and carbon-intensive solution that overlooks domestic resource management (Kollewe, 2024).
How we got here
The UK faces increasing drought risks, exacerbated by climate change and underinvestment in water infrastructure. Southern Water's reliance on groundwater and chalk streams has drawn criticism, prompting the company to explore alternative water sources, including potential imports from Norway.
Common question
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Why is Southern Water Importing Water from Norway?
Southern Water's recent proposal to import water from Norway has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the UK's water management strategies. As the company faces increasing pressure to address local water shortages and environmental concerns, many are left wondering about the implications of this controversial plan. Here are some common questions and answers regarding this significant development.
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Why is Southern Water Considering Importing Water from Norway?
Southern Water is exploring the option of importing water from Norway as a response to increasing water scarcity in the UK. This plan raises several questions about the environmental impacts, the necessity of such measures, and the broader implications for water management in the country. Below, we address some of the most pressing questions surrounding this controversial proposal.
More on these topics
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Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe whose mainland territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula; Mainland Norway and the remote island of Jan Mayen as well as the archi
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The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by the United Kingdom government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the envi
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The Financial Times is an international daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and published digitally that focuses on business and economic current affairs.