Severn Trent is building a new £15m distribution service reservoir to boost water supplies in Worcestershire.

Work has begun on the Bournheath scheme to construct the huge new storage facility, which will offer an extra TWO MEGALITRES of water for the area.

Other planned projects to secure water supplies in Worcestershire include drilling new boreholes, a £14m scheme that is due to be completed later this year.

James Strumidlo, 26, is Severn Trent’s project manager for the new service reservoir scheme. He said: “Having enough water storage for when customers need it is more important than ever, as we face the increasing demands of climate change and population growth.

“Distribution service reservoirs are a vital part of our water network, as they help us to meet extra demand in areas like Worcestershire when needed.”

Coventry-born James has worked for Severn Trent for eight years, having started out on our Apprentice Graduate programme, straight from school.

The keen cricketer said: “The apprentice scheme was perfect for me because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after leaving school.

“I’ve learned so much in my career so far at Severn Trent, including working on mains replacement programmes and reducing leakage.

“Being a project manager is hugely fulfilling as your role involves working with a number of different teams. You are the person making sure they are all speaking to each other and delivering what they need to deliver on time to benefit our customers.”

Other planned projects in Worcestershire include drilling new boreholes, a £14m scheme that is due to be completed this autumn.

The water resilience schemes follow Severn Trent receiving the green light from regulator Ofwat in December to invest some £15bn in sector-leading plans for the region over five years. 

This includes a £320m investment programme for Worcestershire to improve service for customers, boost water supplies, improve river health and create 7,000 new jobs across the region.  

Benefits for customers in Worcestershire include investing £65m to increase capacity at our Strensham water treatment works.

And Severn Trent is also investing £63m in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire to deliver 155 miles of new pipes - creating 49 new jobs.