Bewl, the water story

Bewl Water was created to help meet the growing demand for water in the southeast. Rapid growth in housing, combined with greater use of water for industrial needs such as paper making and electricity generation, led to the identification of the clay-lined Bewl Valley as a suitable site for a reservoir.

Construction commenced in 1973 with a dam, 900m long and 30m high, which turned the former agricultural valley into a vast bowl capable of holding 6,900 million gallons of water when full; this coincidentally equates to 1 gallon (4.5ltrs) each for every man woman and child in the world!

The scheme, a joint partnership between Southern water and Mid Kent Water, was completed in 1978 and now supplies water to numerous areas including the Medway Towns, north Maidstone, the Hastings area and local villages. The reservoir is filled when water supplies are plentiful – usually during the winter months – by pumping from the R.Teise at Goudhurst and the R.Medway at Yalding.

For further information please click on the following:
Bewl Water Facts & Figures

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