UK Ends 30-Year Reservoir Hiatus Amidst Growing Water Scarcity and Population Surge

The United Kingdom is finally addressing its long-standing water infrastructure deficit, with the government fast-tracking the construction of new major reservoirs after a three-decade pause. This move comes as the nation grapples with increasing water demand driven by significant population growth and the intensifying effects of climate change, which have led to persistent struggles for existing water supplies. Chris Baker, reflecting public concern, highlighted this disparity in a recent tweet, stating, > "At least 15 million more people in the country than the last time one was built and we wonder why reservoirs struggle year after year?"

Indeed, no new major public water supply reservoir has been completed in England since 1992, despite the UK's population increasing by millions over this period. This historical lack of investment, coupled with hotter, drier summers and an aging infrastructure, has put the country at risk of severe water shortages, with the Environment Agency predicting a shortfall of almost 5 billion litres a day by 2050. The urgent need for increased capacity has become a critical national issue, impacting both daily life and the ability to build new homes.

In response, the government has intervened by granting "nationally significant" status to two new reservoir projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, aiming to accelerate their development. These are the first major reservoirs to receive such a directive in over 30 years, marking a significant shift in policy. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasized this commitment, stating, "Today we are backing the builders not the blockers, intervening in the national interest and slashing red tape to make the planning process faster to unblock nine new reservoirs."

The Lincolnshire reservoir, proposed by Anglian Water, is projected to be operational by 2040 and will supply up to 166 million litres of water daily for 500,000 homes. Its partner, the Fens reservoir, is slated for completion by 2036 and will provide 87 million litres for 250,000 homes in one of the driest regions. Additionally, the Havant Thicket Reservoir in Hampshire, the first major reservoir to begin construction in over 30 years, is actively underway, with completion expected to take several years.

While these projects are crucial steps, experts note that they are part of a broader strategy to secure water resources for future generations and unlock housing development currently stalled by water scarcity concerns. David Black, Chief Executive of Ofwat, welcomed the focus on accelerating supply and resilience schemes, acknowledging the substantial £2 billion development funding allocated for major water infrastructure. These initiatives collectively aim to deliver nine new reservoirs by 2050, providing an additional 670 million litres of water per day.