In September 2021, the Advertiser and Times reported that Southern Water would not proceed with its proposed desalination plant at Ashlett Creek in Fawley. The project of around 600 million pounds was to process 75 million litres of seawater into drinking water each day and include a 25 km pipeline to Testwood in Totton. After an appraisal with regulators, statutory consultees and customers, desalination ranked below options such as water recycling. Local MP Julian Lewis, who had opposed the plan, welcomed the decision.
The report showed desalination in southern England falling behind water recycling and advanced wastewater treatment when supply options were compared.
Source: Advertiser and Times