A PIPELINE to take water from a proposed new Somerset reservoir to supply people in Devon will need to be dug under the Quantock Hills and Exmoor.

West Country Water and Environment (WCWE), an umbrella organisation bringing together South West Water, Wessex Water, and other regional firms with the Environment Agency, is spearheading the proposals for a second Cheddar reservoir.

Dubbed ‘Cheddar Two’, it will supply much of the Somerset Council area and parts of Devon via a new pipeline.

The agency is conducting a public consultation on its plans, but the nearest in-person drop-in event for West Somerset is in Bampton on Saturday (September 20) from 12 noon to 4 pm, in St Michael’s Community Hall, Barnhay.

WCWE programme director Steve Lanzon said: “As we face the dual challenges of climate change and a growing population, we must find new and sustainable ways to secure our water supply while protecting our environment.

“This project represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible water supply for the future.

“In the Westcountry, we have long relied on our natural water sources, including rivers and underground aquifers.

“However, with changing weather patterns and increasing demand, we must adapt and explore new methods to ensure water security.

“This project is designed to address these challenges head-on.”

As part of the project, new pipelines will be constructed to the east of the Quantock Hills, providing additional capacity for communities such as Kilve, Watchet, and Williton, which currently rely on water pumped from the Maundown treatment works, near Wiveliscombe.

The new infrastructure will allow more water from Maundown to be pumped toward Tiverton, making it more accessible for South West Water customers in Devon.

Mr Lanzon said new pipelines would all be built underground to avoid any visual impact on Somerset’s natural landscapes, with the new pipes flowing under the River Parrett, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the Bristol to Exeter mainline railway, and the M5 motorway.

He said the project would include ‘environmental compensation’ to mitigate the construction impact of both the reservoir and the pipelines.

Mr Lanzon said: “This project not only helps to secure our water supply but also brings substantial environmental benefits.

“By reducing our reliance on unsustainable river abstractions, we can improve river flows and protect vital ecosystems, particularly during drought conditions.

“Additionally, new environmental compensation areas delivered as part of this project will provide valuable habitats for local wildlife.

“By providing a vital new water source, supporting a balanced and sustainable water supply alongside ongoing efforts to reduce demand and fix leaks across the network, we are confident that the ‘Cheddar Two’ reservoir and transfer project will set a new benchmark for sustainable water management.”

Mr Lanzon said feedback was being invited from people so that ‘together, we can ensure that our water resources are managed responsibly, safeguarding them for future generations’.

The consultation, which can be found online, closes on October 1, but further consultation is planned throughout 2026 ahead of formal planning being submitted in 2027.