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Sewage Surge: Universal Studios UK Faces Water Woes
28 Jan
Summary
- Universal Studios UK park plans raise concerns about sewage capacity.
- Bedford's water recycling plant may struggle with 10.6 million liters daily.
- £70-£80 million upgrade approved, funded partly by customer bills.
The construction of the UK's first Universal Studios theme park, planned for Kempston Hardwick near Bedford and scheduled for completion by 2031, is generating concerns about its environmental impact, specifically sewage management. Anglian Water has indicated that the existing Bedford Water Recycling Centre (WRC) might be unable to handle the projected daily discharge of 10.6 million liters from the attraction, which anticipates 8.5 million visitors annually.
To address this, a substantial upgrade to the WRC has been approved, with funding ranging from £70 million to £80 million. This investment aims to increase the plant's capacity by 50% by 2035. While a portion of this funding has been sourced from customer bill increases, Universal Studios is also expected to contribute to the development costs.
Regulator Ofwat has acknowledged the need for infrastructure to support economic growth and has allocated significant investment to Anglian Water. Ofwat's regulatory model includes flexibility for unforeseen requirements, assuring that necessary infrastructure enhancements will be supported. The construction itself has received government approval via a special development order, bypassing some local processes.
