Severn Trent to offer farmers free water bowsers

Livestock farmers across Shropshire who might be struggling with water supplies are being offered free mobile water bowsers by Severn Trent on a first-come, first-served basis.

The water company initiative is part of plans to help manage water demand, and aims to strengthen on-farm water resilience while supporting broader environmental goals and reducing pressure on mains supplies.

See also: Will’s World: A Welsh farmer’s guide to surviving without rain

A total of 700 bowsers will be made available to farmers across its region, with priority given to those with livestock, particularly dairy farms, to help them store enough water and support animal welfare during potential hot weather periods.

The bowsers were originally used as part of Severn Trent’s emergency fleet and are now being redistributed as the company upgrades its equipment.

“Our aim is to get the 1,100-litre bowsers to the farmers who need them most, providing dependable, on-farm water storage to help maintain supply for livestock during dry spells or for water emergencies,” said Kevin Hatch, from Severn Trent’s network operations.

They are said to be in excellent condition, have been dry stored, are fitted with forklift-accessible cages and will be cleaned and labelled before being distributed.

“While provided empty, the bowsers are ready to fill and use for non-potable purposes – offering a practical solution to help farmers manage peak water demands or low availability,” added Mr Hatch.

The bowsers are set to help those livestock farms who must ensure that they have at least 24 hours of water storage for their animals, which, Mr Hatch said was vitally important, given the driest spring on record.

“Shropshire has a particularly high number of livestock farms and is especially vulnerable to dry conditions, which is why the region is the first focus for the giveaway scheme,” he said.

Severn Trent will be expanding the initiative to cover other areas in its region, including Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Herefordshire.

How to apply

Livestock farmers in Shropshire should register their interest by sending an email to EnvEngagement@severntrent.co.uk by June 6, 2025.

To be eligible you must:

• Farm within the Severn Trent catchment
• Have either a dairy farm, hatcheries, poultry sheds, or beef and pig farms
• Provide farm information, including the full address, herd or flock size, as well as information regarding any previous water supply issues

Once approved, farmers will receive a date and time slot to collect their bowser from a local designated Severn Trent site.