IT is an untapped resource that seems to be the obvious solution for an island thirsty for water.
While Great Britain is surrounded by water on all sides the fear is that the communities within could dry out if nothing is done to tackle the predicted water shortage.
As reported yesterday by the Daily Echo the Environment Agency has ordered water companies to find alternative ways of meeting rising demands rather than drawing from existing sources like the River Itchen in the south.
Water companies including Southern Water are now locked in battle with the agency over how achievable that is without passing on huge costs to the customer.
The water shortage is a problem that has already been identified in London. There, Thames Water has already started building a plant which would see water from the Thames turned into usable tap water.
If the warnings from the Environment Agency are heeded a similar plant could be coming to the south coast with a price tag of £73m. Earmarked for either Millbrook or Fawley the plant would be modelled on the £250m project currently underway in the capital.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article