Severn Trent is offering free mobile water bowsers to livestock farmers across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, as part of a new initiative to help manage water demand.

Kevin Hatch, from Severn Trent’s Network Operations, says a total of 300 ‘bowsers’ will be made available to farmers across its region, with priority given to those with livestock, particularly dairy farms, to help them store water now for future use.

“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 for future dry spells or water emergencies,” he explains.

“Although we’re now outside the main risk period for dry weather, this year’s exceptionally dry spring and summer served a reminder of how quickly water pressures can develop.

“Our teams will work closely with farmers to understand their water needs and arrange collections from agreed pick-up points, so the bowsers can be efficiently distributed to where they’ll make the greatest difference.”

He adds: “We want to help farmers prepare early so they have the right storage in place before next summer.”

Following the success of Severn Trent’s earlier giveaway, which saw bowsers distributed to grateful livestock farmers in Shropshire during one of the driest summers on record, the scheme is now being expanded to other priority livestock areas across the Midlands.

Originally used as part of Severn Trent’s emergency fleet, the bowsers are being redistributed as the company upgrades to equipment with almost 12 times greater storage capacity.

Mr Hatch says: “The bowsers we’re giving away are in excellent condition, having been dry stored and rarely used, and will be made available across our priority areas to farms that meet the criteria.

“They’re fitted with forklift-accessible cages to make them easy to transport and will be cleaned and labelled before distribution.

“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. It also helps livestock farms, who must ensure that they have at least 24 hours of water storage for their animals year-round.”

The bowser giveaway initiative aims to strengthen on-farm water resilience while supporting Severn Trent’s broader environmental goals to protect water quality and reduce pressure on mains supplies.

During the recent dry spells, many farmers reached out to Severn Trent for help when water supplies ran low. This shows the importance of having adequate water storage in place to keep livestock safe and healthy during dry periods.

Mr Hatch adds: “By acting now, farmers can be ready for future dry periods rather than responding in an emergency.

How to apply

Livestock farmers in Staffordshire and Derbyshire should register their interest at Water supply for livestock farms | Working with farmers and land managers | Environment | About Us | Severn Trent Water by November 14th, 2025.

To be eligible for a bowser you must farm within the Severn Trent catchment and have either a dairy farm, hatcheries, poultry sheds, or beef and pig farms to qualify. You’ll be asked to 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 designated Severn Trent site.