Update – 02 May 2024

The proposed new reservoir could provide a secure water supply for around half a million homes, as well as protecting the environment by enabling a reduction in the amount of water taken from rivers and underground aquifers elsewhere in the region.

Anglian Water has released an artist’s impression of its proposed new reservoir in Lincolnshire, offering an example of what the reservoir close to Scredington, Helpringham and Swaton could look like in the future.

The design, which has evolved using the valuable feedback from the first phase of consultation, shows how the reservoir could feature in the landscape. Its shape and gently sloping embankments are designed to integrate with the surrounding villages and farmland.

New footpaths and cycling trails could help connect adjacent communities with the reservoir, creating a place that brings people, nature and water together. The image also shows a unique lagoon feature, which would maintain a consistent water level all year round, facilitating activities such as sailing and wind surfing.

The proposals include wetland areas spread across the reservoir that would seek to provide new habitats and encourage ecological restoration. Each of these unique features would be connected by a network of new footpaths, encouraging visitors and the local community to explore the new outdoor destination. The new reservoir would create jobs, and wider economic, environmental, leisure and health benefits for the local community.

Anglian Water has announced plans for a second phase of public consultation on the reservoir proposals, which will take place from 30 May to 25 July. Over the eight week consultation period, the project will be welcoming feedback on the emerging design and the associated water infrastructure required to fill the reservoir, treat the water, and transport it to homes and businesses. Prior to the start of the consultation, Anglian Water is engaging with property and land owners who may be impacted by the proposals.

The East of England is facing growing challenges to water supply from both population growth in the region and a changing climate. Projections from the Met Office show that the East of England will become hotter and drier in summer, and wetter in winter, meaning that there is a pressing need to store winter water to cope with summer droughts.

Unless bold action is taken, the demand for water will outstrip the available supply within the next decade, making the reservoir project vital for the continued growth and prosperity of the region. The proposed reservoir in Lincolnshire is part of a multi-billion pound investment programme from Anglian Water, with the water company currently building a network of strategic pipelines to bring water from wetter to drier parts of the region, which will help to secure water supplies while two new reservoirs are being built (the other proposed to be located in the Cambridgeshire Fens).

This project forms part of the company’s long term Water Resources Management Plan, which looks 25 years ahead, with the objective of making the region resilient to drought, while improving environmental protection. It will build on decades of existing investment in resilient infrastructure by the water company, which has successfully balanced the needs of people and the environment whilst avoiding hosepipe bans for customers even in hot and dry conditions such as summer 2022.

Dr Geoff Darch, Head of Supply Demand Strategy for Anglian Water said:

“In a future with more people but less reliable rainfall, the reservoir will have a crucial role to provide future water supply. However, our vision for this project has always gone beyond simply building a reservoir for public water supply: we want to integrate the reservoir with the surrounding landscape, and maximise social, economic and environmental opportunities.

“We plan to include features that local communities would value and together we will identify opportunities to deliver ecological benefits and promote sustainability. We’re proposing new ways to protect nature, help it thrive, and teach future generations about how water shapes our lives and the environment.”

Anglian Water’s existing reservoirs, such as Rutland Water and Grafham Water, welcome more than two million people each year. The proposed Lincolnshire site will also seek to encourage tourism in the area, creating new jobs and supporting existing local businesses.

Geoff continued:

“Engaging with local communities and wider stakeholders is an important part of how we are developing our plans and we look forward to updating the public on other key aspects of the project at our upcoming consultation.

We will be hosting a wide range of consultation materials on the project website, while engaging directly with the community through a series of in-person events across the proposed area, ensuring information is accessible to as many people as possible. These events are a great opportunity for the public to engage with the project team and we look forward to welcoming further feedback on our emerging design.”

During the forthcoming consultation, a range of information, including an interactive map and masterplan, project brochures and an educational animation will be made available on the project website.

For more information on the proposed Lincolnshire Reservoir and the forthcoming consultation, please visit: www.lincsreservoir.co.uk