[2] One of the uses of the reservoir is to transfer water from the company's works at Hampton Loade, on the River Severn, to Burton upon Trent.

A 36-inch (91 cm) main then carries water by gravity via Seedy Mill works to Burton on Trent.

[2] The water company also operates a weather station, one of several in its network, at the reservoir, to monitor temperature, hours of sunshine, and rainfall.

[4] In August 2013, Severn Trent Water launched a £2 million project to build a 2 1/2 mile pipeline linking their Perry Barr Reservoir to Barr Beacon Reservoir, to allow for the exchange of water in emergencies such as severe droughts.

[5] Shortly after 5am on 12 November 2011,[6] the 36-inch water main north of the reservoir burst,[7] emptying the reservoir of around 2,000,000 litres (440,000 imp gal) of water,[8] and flooding up to 150 homes in Aldridge Road,[9] and Elm Tree Road[9] in the Blackwood estate in the Streetly area of Sutton Coldfield.