Water Firm Turns Former Quarries into Reservoirs

Two former clay quarries on Bodmin Moor are being transformed into huge reservoirs by South West Water.

Stannon Lake and Park Lake will form two of the largest reservoirs in Cornwall and help secure future water supplies for the county.

The company has now completed the purchase of Stannon Lake and the Environment Agency has granted an abstraction licence for Park Lake, acquired from Imerys last year.

SWW’s chief executive Chris Loughlin said the two new reservoirs would be used to supplement water resources for the county and will make a significant impact.

“Our aim is to secure water supplies for our customers, whatever climate change throws at us,” he said.

“The development of these two lakes gives us significant extra reserves without the cost and disruption involved in building new reservoirs, a process that can take 20 years.

“SWW will also be carrying on with the good work started by Imerys on the restoration of the surrounding land. We will be aiming to increase biodiversity and develop the full environmental potential of the lakes and surrounding land.”

Park Lake, which is near Siblyback and Colliford reservoirs, is 55m deep and holds around 7.7 billion litres of water. It is hoped it will be ready for use later this year.

Stannon Lake, near Crowdy reservoir, holds more than 8 billion litres. It was a working pit until 2002, and development work is set to start next year.

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.