We are progressing plans for two new reservoirs – one in Lincolnshire, and another in the Fens in partnership with Cambridge Water.

 

When there is available water in rivers that would otherwise drain to the sea, we would draw that water and transfer it to the reservoirs using new and existing infrastructure and waterways. The reservoirs will store the water for when it’s needed.

 

Having these new water resources will reduce demands on sensitive sources such as chalk streams, helping us to protect and restore the environment. The new reservoirs will make us more resilient to a changing climate, reducing the impact of droughts while helping to manage river levels in wetter periods.

 

Our vision for the projects goes beyond simply creating new public water supply. This is a significant investment in England’s water infrastructure and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver lasting benefits for people, place and the environment.

 

Our phase two consultation closed on 9 August 2024.

 

We’ve received really valuable feedback from local people and stakeholders and want to thank everyone for taking part in the consultation.

 

Your comments are a key part of developing the project to keep impacts as low as possible, and create benefits for people and nature.

 

To find out more, please visit the project websites:

A new reservoir in the Fens

 Visit A new reservoir in the Fens

A new reservoir in Lincolnshire

 Visit A new reservoir in Lincolnshire

Explore more

As we move forward with these two important reservoirs, you can keep up to date with progress.

Our commitment
Our infrastructure plans
Why we need to do this
About the new reservoirs
What you can expect
The process and how you can have your say

Geoff Darch, Head of Supply Demand

“Water is vital to the health, wellbeing and economic prosperity of the East of England, and to maintaining a thriving natural environment that we can all enjoy. Yet we are managing water resources with a set of unique demands. Not only are we the driest area in the UK, we’re also experiencing population growth, with the region set for a 20 per cent increase in population by 2050. At the same time, to help protect and restore nature, we cannot continue to take as much water from precious sources, such as aquifers and chalk streams. The effects of a changing climate are adding to these demands. In the time that we’ve been developing these projects, we’ve seen one of the hottest summers on record and one of the wettest winters. It’s a timely reminder of how our region is changing and why we need to take action to prepare for the future."

About our reservoirs in Lincolnshire and the Fens 

The proposed new reservoirs have been identified as a large-scale investment in new water resources that we need and will play a critical role in securing water supply long into the future.

 

Reservoirs provide a level of resilience, volume of water, environmental and socio-economic opportunities that other sources such as desalination or water reuse do not. Reservoirs are sustainable ways of producing resilient, safe drinking water supplies because they take from river catchments which have surplus water.

 

They mean we can make the most of wet weather for public water supply, capturing river water that would otherwise drain to the sea and storing it so it’s on tap when needed.

 

Where possible, we will consider ways to include features that local communities would value and use. We will explore opportunities that could deliver ecological benefits and promote sustainability.