Two new reservoirs granted ‘nationally significant’ status, with seven more planned by 2050 to secure water for 750,000 homes.

The UK government has authorised the construction of two major reservoirs in England — the first such projects in more than 30 years — aimed at addressing the country’s growing water scarcity. The reservoirs, located in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, have been granted “nationally significant” status by the environment minister, Steve Reed, meaning they must proceed despite previous delays.

The decision comes amid rising concern over water shortages caused by an expanding population and increasingly dry summers linked to climate change. Recent warnings from the government have highlighted the threat of drought if significant rainfall does not arrive soon. Reservoir levels across England have been steadily falling to worrying lows.

These two new reservoirs are intended to bolster water supplies for over 750,000 homes in some of England’s most water-stressed areas, helping to safeguard the nation’s water security for decades to come.

The reservoir in Lincolnshire, proposed by Anglian Water, will be located south of Sleaford. It is expected to become operational by 2040 and will supply up to 166 million litres of water daily, serving around 500,000 homes. Meanwhile, the Fens reservoir, a joint project between Anglian Water and Cambridge Water, will be constructed between Chatteris and March and is due for completion by 2036. It will provide 87 million litres per day to approximately 250,000 homes in the driest region of the UK.

The government has made fast-tracking these projects a priority, aiming to cut through bureaucratic delays that have hampered reservoir developments for years. Water minister Emma Hardy emphasised the need to “back the builders not the blockers” by streamlining planning processes and removing red tape.

“This government will secure our water supply for future generations and unlock the building of thousands of homes as part of the plan for change,” Hardy said. The availability of a reliable water supply is critical for housing development in these regions, where plans for new homes have stalled due to infrastructure limitations.

The Environment Agency projects a shortfall of almost 5 billion litres per day in England by 2050 if new water sources are not developed. The new reservoirs form part of a broader government plan that includes up to nine new reservoirs nationwide by mid-century. Besides East Anglia and Lincolnshire, planned reservoir sites include Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Kent, East Sussex, the West Midlands, and two in Somerset. Construction has already begun at a smaller reservoir in Havant Thicket, Hampshire.

David Black, chief executive of water regulator Ofwat, welcomed the government’s focus on accelerating water supply and resilience projects. He noted that alongside £2 billion of development funding announced during the 2024 price review, these efforts mark the largest programme of major water infrastructure developments in decades.

The new reservoir projects represent a critical step in confronting England’s long-term water challenges. With climate change intensifying drought risks and population growth increasing demand, expanding reservoir capacity is essential for both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

The government’s firm commitment to these reservoirs signals a significant shift in water policy, aiming to future-proof water supplies and support communities across England for years to come.