Anglian Water hopes this year to start laying hundreds of kilometres of new interconnecting pipelines – stretching from North Lincolnshire, through Cambridgeshire, to Suffolk and Essex as part of a multi-million pound water main scheme.
The company is building a new network stretching from Lincolnshire to Essex, bringing water from the wettest parts in the north of the region to the driest areas in the south and east.
John Neil, who leads the team delivering the latest section of the network, said: “The new pipelines will allow water to be moved to areas where it is needed most, while also strengthening local resilience by reducing the number of homes and businesses which rely on a single water source.
“They are vital in addressing the predicted ‘jaws of death’ moment for water availability in the East of England – the point at which demand for water greatly outstrips the available supply.
“With 175,000 new homes to be built in the next few years, it is vital we ensure we have resilient infrastructure in place to support local authorities in delivering their Local Plans, and residents who live in the area.”
The combined effects of climate change and high population growth in the region means that, without action, the East of England could run out of water as soon as 2030.
The strategic pipeline will make use of the latest technology, some never used before in the UK, each one designed to reduce the carbon footprint and any environmental impact associated with the scheme delivery.
The entire network has also been designed to have the lowest carbon footprint possible in line with Anglian Water’s pledge to reach net zero carbon by 2030 and is expected to go into service in 2025.
