A £21m reservoir scheme, designed to be beautiful as well as useful, has been officially opened on the outskirts of Totton.
The Testwood Lakes project between the M27 and Calmore Industrial Estate can supply water to 200,000 people in Totton and Southampton, but it is also a landscaped wildlife haven being swiftly colonised by a wide range of birds and animals.
Southern Water staff worked closely with Hampshire Wildlife Trust for more than 13 years to ensure the scheme's double priorities received equal weight.
Trust spokesman Dr Rob Stoneman said when the Testwood gravel extraction scheme was first suggested back in the 1980s, conservationists prepared themselves for a fight.
"But instead of a stand-off with Southern Water, they listened to us. Now we have a fabulous area for walking and relaxing, and wildlife bonanza which will get better and better," he said.
Veteran Totton councillor Edith Randall said: "It is nice to have a development in Totton which is not industrial or housing. I'm proud of it."
New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, who cut the ribbon opening the new education centre on the 55-hectare site, praised the teamwork behind the Lakes project.
"It is rare to find a scheme which combines functional need and community amenity as effectively as this one," he said.
"This could just have been done in a practical way to cater for local water needs, but here we have a three lakes in marvellous surroundings which will be of value to the community in a completely different way. I'll do all I can to encourage schools to visit."
Southern Water boss Stuart Derwent was sorry to report that vandals have already caused some minor damage.
"It is upsetting but the best way to stamp out vandalism is for the community to make use of this wonderful facility," he said.
An open day at Testwood Lakes, led by TV animal expert Chris Packham, is due to take place on Sunday, September 21 from 10am until 4pm. The Lakes car parks are open from 8am to 6pm until October 1, and from 9am to 4pm for the rest of the winter.
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