Southern Water Targets Bosham in New £10M Storm Overflow Crackdown
Southern Water has zeroed in on the picturesque West Sussex village of Bosham for its latest battle against storm overflows. This pilot project uses cutting-edge nature-based and engineering tactics to tackle flooding and sewage issues head-on.
Building on Success from Across the South
Bosham becomes the seventh stop for Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, following successful pilots in Kent, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. The village, famed for stunning views over Chichester Harbour, faces serious groundwater problems in the wetter months. This often overwhelms both private and Southern Water pipelines.
What’s Being Done in Bosham?
The new initiative takes inspiration from proven strategies in Hampshire’s Pan Parishes near Andover. Key actions include:
- Relining and sealing nearly 10km of sewer in Funtington, with 1.5km set for completion within a year.
- Building a brand-new wetland near Bosham Wastewater Treatment Works, due by summer 2027.
- Sealing private pipes where needed to stop groundwater leaking into the sewer network.
£10 Million Boost Ahead of £1.5 Billion Clean Rivers Plan
This pilot comes after Southern Water secured an extra £10 million of government funding this year to fight storm overflows. It’s a warm-up for the ambitious £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas Plan launching in 2025 — which will partly fund the Bosham project.
“We’re really excited to begin another pilot that will make a real difference to reducing storm overflows in and around Chichester Harbour,” said Joff Edevane, Task Force Delivery Lead for Bosham.
“We know this area suffers from major groundwater challenges, so we’re keen to employ a mix of successful approaches to tackle the problem. We look forward to working closely with the local community for the benefit of customers and the environment.”
