A barge similar to one that will lay the pipeline across the Solent

Southern Water has begun work to replace the existing 2.4 mile (4km) pipeline from Lepe in Hampshire to Gurnard on the Isle of Wight.

Two new larger pipelines will enable millions more litres to be pumped to the island each day.

The �15m scheme is expected to be completed next summer.

Current drought

The current pipeline, which supplies more than a quarter of the island's drinking water, has reached the end of its 25-year lifespan.

The new pipes will see Hampshire supplying more than half of the island's water needs over the next quarter of a century.

Specialist drilling techniques will be used in the early stage of installing the pipelines from the pumping stations to minimise wildlife disruption.

A barge will then float out the Solent section, which will be sunk onto the seabed before a diver connects the pipelines.

Karl Taylor, Southern Water's programme director, said: "Everyone is very aware of the current drought we are experiencing and this is why we have fast-tracked this vital scheme to ensure the Isle of Wight has a secure water supply."