Suffolk water boss says new reservoirs needed to address demand

A water company boss says plans for two new reservoirs and a water recycling plant in Suffolk are essential to safeguard the county’s supply for “generations”.

Essex & Suffolk Water provides water to about 1.8 million households in parts of those two counties and part of Norfolk.

In a bid to address growing demand, it has recently launched the Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage Project.

The company’s Monisha Gower said the county’s long-term water security was under threat, but this scheme could be the answer.

“East Anglia is one of the driest parts of our country,” she said.

“So we need to carefully plan ahead to secure and maintain the existing supplies – and this project represents a major step forward for securing water for the future.”

Suffolk has recently been identified by the Environment Agency as a Seriously Water Stressed Area, which means its long-term water security is under threat.

In September, Essex & Suffolk Water reported that Suffolk had experienced its second driest March-May period since 1921.

It is hoped that the scheme – part of a wider £1.5bn investment in water projects across the East of England – will ensure “reliable water supplies for generations to come”.

If approved, a water recycling plant capable of producing 11 million litres (2.4 million gallons) of purified water would be built near Lowestoft.

Two partly buried reservoirs – one near the existing Lodgewood Water Tower in Sibton, near Saxmundham, and one near Eye airfield – would also be built, storing water for use during dry periods. About 50 miles (80km) of pipelines would be installed.

“We currently have sufficient water supplies to support our existing households and business customers, so that is fine and secure,” said Ms Gower.

“The challenge we have is meeting the extra demand from new commercial developments and commercial customers who want to connect to our water supplies.

“We need to create the supply capacity and connectivity to be able to do that.”

Ms Gower spoke to the BBC after a seven-week consultation period, during which about 1,000 residents attended drop-in sessions to share their views.

“Initial feedback has been broadly supportive and positive, so the community understands the need for this investment and what it would unlock,” she said.