Today, Anglian Water is outlining its largest-ever year of investment for the East of England, as it embarks on the first of a five-year mammoth programme of work, totalling almost £11 billion. 
 
By 2030, the water company will double the investment into its region’s environment, continue its work developing a ‘water grid’ of new pipelines to feed the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, protecting them from future shortages, and further develop plans for two new reservoirs in Lincolnshire and the Fens to supply water to nearly three quarters of a million people.  
 
Work will also continue to improve the region’s resilience to the risk of flood and drought, help protect rivers and coastline from the effects of climate change and support the rapidly growing population and local economy by creating thousands of new jobs. 
 
The next 12 months alone will see Anglian Water kick off the programme, with more than £2 billion spent across the region. Around half of this will be spent on new schemes, with the remaining amount going towards maintaining the company’s existing network and operations. To fund this, average customer water bills are expected to be £626 for the year, or just £1.72 per day. 
 
2025: A £2bn-plus investment programme, fit for a growing region 
The East of England includes the country’s four fastest-growing cities: Milton Keynes, Northampton, Peterborough and Cambridge, and is set to see more than 720,000 new residents over the next 20 years. 
 
The water company’s plans are intended to ensure it can remain ahead of these pressures – but working with others will also be key in allowing the region to thrive.  
 
Following on from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ growth speech yesterday, the company is also welcoming key stakeholders, developers and industry experts from across the region at its Investing in a Thriving East conference today in Peterborough, which aims to share cross-industry perspectives on how sustainable growth can be achieved in one of the UK’s most challenged regions. 
 
Anglian Water’s Director of Customer and Wholesale Services, Don Maher, said:  

“Our programme of investment for this five years and beyond is transformational. It’s unlike anything seen for hundreds of years, since the sewer system in London was first built. It is critical to support our growing region, keeping customers’ taps running and toilets flushing in the face of unprecedented challenges from population growth and climate change. We’re really proud to have set out a robust, ambitious plan – one of the largest in the country – that will help the East of England to grow and thrive.” 
 
Keeping bills affordable 
Alongside this investment, the company’s plans include an £80 million package of support for vulnerable customers. This will help those in difficult circumstances and at risk of being in water poverty to get the financial support they need, including for the first time, a discounted tariff for those with certain medical needs. 
 
Don continued:

“We do all we can to keep bills affordable, but delivering a plan of this scale means that water bills will rise this year. The average bill of £1.72 per day pays for all the water you need to wash your hands, to drink and to cook, and for every flush of the loo and cycle of the washing machine. But more than that, it helps us build and look after a water network that protects both the environment and continues the preparation for the challenges that our region is facing. 
 
“Equally, offering the right support for our customers has never been more important. Over the next 12 months we’ll be helping more than 300,000 people by putting together packages of support that are tailored to meet their individual needs. But we can also help our customers identify wider external support they might not have known they’re entitled to, which can help ease financial burdens.  
 
“So, whatever the circumstances, our message to customers is: if you’re worried about paying your bill, please get in touch. The sooner we talk, the sooner we can help.”  
 
Since 2020, the team has signposted customers to more than £12.5 million of potential unclaimed benefits, with some customers receiving up to £3,000 of extra benefits following Anglian Water’s assessment.   
 
Any customers who are struggling to pay their bills are encouraged to contact Anglian Water via its website, X or Facebook accounts, or calling its Extra Care Team directly on 0800 169 3630.