Anglian Water Declares 350km Pipeline ‘Essential’ to Avert Regional Water Shortage

A water company has stated that a new 350km (217.47 mile) pipeline is necessary to prevent a region from experiencing water shortages within the next decade. Anglian Water has commenced the initial phase of pipe installation in north Lincolnshire, with the pipeline planned to extend into Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The company’s objective is to establish a £500m water grid along with two additional reservoirs, facilitating the efficient distribution of water across East Anglia, identified as one of the UK’s driest regions. Regan Harris, representing Anglian Water, indicated that customer contributions were funding not only water supply but also this specific project. “They’re not just paying for us to supply them with water and then take it away again when they flush the loo, they are paying for projects like these,” she explained. “[They are] enabling us to keep taps running for generations.” “Without this pipeline we would run out water within the next five to 10 years in our region. There’s no doubt about it.” Ms Harris further stated that the initial phase of the primary pipeline, which is projected to exceed the length of the M1 motorway, is slated for completion by 2028. Subsequently, extensions will be developed to link with existing water infrastructure. “Our climate is changing really rapidly and though it may not feel like it we are one of the driest regions in the UK, but not only that we are one of the fastest growing,” Ms Harris added. “So it’s really important we’re thinking years ahead when it comes to supplying water.” Andy Alder, who serves as the managing director for major infrastructure delivery at Anglian Water, clarified that the company acknowledges concerns regarding the project’s environmental and community effects. “It’s partly about providing improved water security and resilience in water supply, but a lot of the water supply we drink here in the southern part of the region comes from ground water abstraction,” he said. “That has an impact on the ecology because it takes water out of the rivers.” “So as well as being able to move water to where it’s needed by people, it allows us to reduce the ground water abstractions to keep more water in the streams and rivers and allow the ecosystems to flourish.” “It’s an essential project but we recognise big projects like this have an impact in the areas we’re in and we need to manage that, minimise it and do our best to protect the environment and communities as we do that work.”