Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Eddie Bisknell
A 21-mile pipeline could be built that channels water from a Derbyshire reservoir to a treatment works in Staffordshire.
The planned scheme, from Severn Trent Water, would see “raw” untreated water moved from Carsington Water, near Wirksworth in Derbyshire, to its Tittesworth Reservoir treatment works near Leek in Staffordshire.
Raw water is naturally occurring water, such as that from rivers, that has not yet been treated, making it suitable for things like irrigation and construction.
An environmental impact assessment for the scheme, a request ahead of a formal planning application, has been submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council along with the three other council areas – the Peak District, East Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.
If approved, the development would involve building a 34.5-kilometre pipeline to provide a “raw water transfer” from Carsington to Tittesworth, with “above-ground installations” mentioned in this initial application.
A map of the proposed 21-mile route shows the pipeline stemming from the treatment works at Tittesworth Reservoir, heading south-east just north of Bradnop, going underneath the A523, past Peak Wildlife Park, and passing south past Cauldon and between the quarry and test facility, heading east to the north of Mapleton and Ashbourne – skirting the Peak District National Park boundary – south of Kniveton to Carsington Water.
Carsington Water, owned and managed by Severn Trent, is a popular attraction for tourists, school groups and residents across Derbyshire, including many who visit to participate in watersports such as sailing, rowing, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing.
On its website, Severn Trent pitches the project as “investing in the future of our water network”.
It says: “This project is part of a broader effort to safeguard our natural water sources and prevent further environmental degradation. It’s also part of our commitment to future-proofing our water network to ensure it can meet the challenges of climate change and population growth.”
The firm says it does not currently intend to start construction on the pipeline until Spring 2027.
It writes: “We are looking to build a new water main that links Carsington and Tittesworth Reservoirs.
“It will let water flow from the River Derwent and Carsington Reservoir over to the Tittesworth water treatment works, keeping supplies steady even during dry spells.
“By doing this, we’ll help Tittesworth Reservoir hold onto precious water longer, making sure local communities have enough.”
Carsington Waterside, which handles kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboarding rentals on behalf of Severn Trent, said it was unaware of the plans and declined to comment.
