Universal theme park near Bedford 'will have its own wastewater treatment plant'

Talks are ongoing with Universal Studios and its utilities operator around water supply and disposal, which “won’t be to the detriment” of households in the county, according to Anglian Water’s senior policy and public affairs lead Grant Tuffs.

He told Central Bedfordshire Council’s sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee the nearbyUniversal Studios theme park is on its radar.

“There’s reassurance we’re working closely with the company and its provider ESP Utilities Group on developing a sustainable solution for that site,” he said.

“We’re not putting current customers at risk here for a development of a theme park in this area. So there’s an on-site wastewater treatment plant being scoped out, which would be separate from our network.

“There are conversations going on both with Universal and the government around how we can help them develop their utility systems for water provision and disposal, without any detriment to the local community.”

Referring to “scare stories about data centres and their need for water”, he explained: “Data centres currently account for 0.2 per cent of non-household water demand in England, the Water Minister Emma Hardy said recently.

“There are a growing number being proposed. But we’re working with those companies or organisations planning data centres to make sure that water doesn’t get used to the detriment of domestic supplies.

“We’re obliged under our licence to provide water domestically to our customers. We’re not obliged to provide water not for the non-domestic users, that’s businesses, companies or data centres.

“Clearly we try, but ultimately we need to look after our domestic customers first. Particularly, one in Bedfordshire at Quest Parkhasn’t got anywhere yet, so we haven’t had formal conversations with the developer.

“Until an application is submitted, we’ll wait and see what the ask is from the firm. But we’ll treat them all independently, and assess the needs with the company to provide the water required and any disposal of wastewater afterwards.

“There are options with data centres, with closed systems. You don’t need to have fresh potable drinking water to cool a data centre.A closed system can recirculate the same water if you want.”

A £9.3bn data centre campus, Quest Park, would be located on a 143-acre site at Quest Pit in Stewartby near the planned Universal theme park.

Deemed a development of national significance, a decision on whether to approve the project will be made by the government and not the borough council.

“Looking forward within the industry, there’s a big change incoming called the Clean Water Bill, going through Parliament in the next year,” added Mr Tuffs.

“It’s a reset or generational change, so we’re working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ofwat, the drinking water inspectorate, the Environment Agency and other regulators to make sure the outcome of this is fit for purpose for communities, customers, investability and the environment.”