Anglian Water has launched the public consultation for customers and other interested stakeholders to share their views on the water company’s draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024 (WRMP24), which includes proposals for more than £600 million of investment from 2025.

As the driest region in the country, with a third less rainfall than anywhere else, the East of England is more vulnerable than most to the increasing impacts of climate change, including extreme weather challenges like flooding and drought.

According to the water company, this, combined with the highest level of population growth in the UK, means the pressure on water resources in the region has never been greater.

The draft WRMP sets out the plans Anglian Water believes are necessary to manage water resources in the future in light of these challenges, to secure water supplies for generations to come and protect the environment, including the region’s precious chalk streams and wetlands.

The plans also aim to deliver wider societal benefit to customers whilst keeping bills affordable, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis is making things incredibly tough for households across the country.

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

“Ensuring we have enough fresh water for the future is the biggest challenge we face. Our draft plan sets out how we make the best use of the water we already have but also what measures we need to put in place now to become more resilient to a growing population and a changing climate.

“Our plan builds on our industry-leading demand management strategy to ensure that we borrow no more water from the environment despite growth, whilst our plans for new reservoirs and pipeline connections will enable us to reduce abstraction from more sensitive environments. New supplies will also ensure we have sufficient water to cope with the increase in droughts expected with climate change.”

“Resilient, secure water resources are vital to communities, businesses and the environment alike, which is why we want our customers to have their say to ensure that our plans reflect the region’s priorities.”

The plan will see the expansion of Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline – a new network of clean water pipes running from the wetter parts of North Lincolnshire to the drier parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, allowing millions of litres of clean, safe drinking water to be supplied every day to customers across the region.

Progress also continues on the development of two water reservoirs in the Fens and South Lincolnshire. These will supply water to around 625,000 customers as well as providing vital habitats for wildlife, new recreational facilities and opportunities for other sectors like agriculture.

Anglian Water is also proposing to have 91% of its customers' homes fitted with a smart meter by 2030, providing its customers with next day water usage data. The utility says this will enable innovative and prompt communication with customers on their water usage, including any unusual spikes in usage due to a potential leak, and how they can save water and money.

Finally, the water company will further reduce leakage from its own network, supporting the wider water industry commitment to reduce overall leakage by 50% by 2050.

Geoff Darch continued:

“Continuing to manage water demand in the future will only be possible by working with our customers on saving as much water as possible, stopping more leaks than ever before, and making the most of the opportunities associated with our proposed reservoirs. That’s what our ambitious WRMP focusses on.”

Deadline to respond to the consultation is Wednesday 29th March after which, all the comments will be reviewed before the final plan is published.

Click here for more information about the WRMP and public consultation

Click here to download the main report in full