Bournemouth Water £85m upgrade begins this summer

Bournemouth Water has completed the first phase at its water treatment works in Christchurch.

The preparatory works of the £85m upgrade began in October 2024, and the construction is to begin this summer.

The Knapp Mill upgrade forms part of Bournemouth Water’s £200m investment programme to modernise and future-proof its water system.

The upgraded facility, which provides drinking water to around 163,000 people in the Christchurch, Ringwood, New Milton, Lymington and Beaulieu areas will use advanced technology to deliver more sustainable, cleaner, better-tasting, and more reliable drinking water for customers across the region.

So far, works include the construction of a landscaped earth mound around the site to reduce noise and enhance the site’s appearance for residents; the mound will soon be planted with trees and greenery to help the site blend into the surrounding landscape; a new pedestrian crossing has been built connecting Mill Road’s green space to the Avon Valley Footpath after a request from the local council; and off-site, modular treatment units and a ceramic membrane building have been constructed to minimise disruption to local residents once construction begins.

Richard Stanbrook, director of Drinking Water Services at Bournemouth Water said: “Preparation works at Knapp Mill have progressed well over the last seven months, setting the stage for a major transformation of one of our key treatment works.

“This upgrade will bring cutting-edge water treatment technology to the region and help us to deliver better tasting, cleaner and more sustainable water for years to come.”

The upgraded facility is on track to start delivering water to households across Bournemouth by spring 2026.