Let’s face it—most of us don’t spend much time worrying about where our drinking water comes from. We turn on the tap and expect clean water to flow.
But behind the scenes, there’s growing concern that if major action isn’t taken soon, large parts of England could be facing serious water shortages. The government says the clock is ticking.
According to the Water Minister Emma Hardy, England could actually run out of drinking water within the next 10 years if urgent steps aren’t taken—including building new reservoirs.
Government Fast-Tracking Two Massive Reservoir Projects
To tackle what she calls an “infrastructure crisis,” Hardy says the Government is stepping in to take direct control of the planning process for two new reservoir projects—one in East Anglia and the other in Lincolnshire.
These aren’t just any water storage projects either.
They’ve officially been declared “nationally significant” by Environment Secretary Steve Reed.
That means they’ll skip the usual local planning procedures and go straight through central government channels—a big move meant to speed things up dramatically.
If approved and completed, these two reservoirs would be the first major ones built in over 30 years.
Together, they could help secure clean water access for more than 750,000 homes in some of the most water-stressed areas of the country.
Why This Matters Right Now
This isn’t just a problem for the distant future. Experts are warning that by the mid-2030s, the demand for drinking water could outstrip supply if no action is taken.
Several factors are contributing to this: the climate is getting warmer, infrastructure is aging, and the population is growing fast—even with the recent dip in net migration.
Speaking to Times Radio, Hardy put it plainly: “We haven’t built any reservoirs in 30 years.
If we don’t take action, we’re going to be running out of the drinking water we need.”
She added that the government’s new powers allow them to “unlock tens of thousands of new homes” that are currently delayed because water resources can’t keep up with planned development.
It’s Not Just About Homes—It’s About Growth
Hardy also pointed out that it’s not only new housing developments that are being held back.
Businesses around the country are struggling to grow due to limited water access. “We need water for growth,” she said.
“There are projects up and down the country where businesses are crying out for extra water so they can get on with growing our economy.”
This is especially significant for Labour’s long-term goal to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029—a goal that’s increasingly threatened by inadequate infrastructure.
A Closer Look at the Two New Reservoirs
So what exactly is being planned?
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The Lincolnshire reservoir, proposed to be built south of Sleaford, is expected to provide up to 166 million litres of water per day—enough for around 500,000 homes. If all goes to plan, it should be completed by 2040.
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The Fens Reservoir, located between Chatteris and March in Cambridgeshire (one of the driest parts of the UK), would supply 87 million litres a day to roughly 250,000 homes. It’s scheduled for completion by 2036.
Both projects are entering the consultation phase, where the public and stakeholders can have their say.
A Bigger National Plan Is Taking Shape
These two reservoirs are just the beginning. Water companies across England are committed to building nine new reservoirs by 2050.
These would be spread out across areas like:
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Oxfordshire
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Somerset
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Kent
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East Sussex
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The West Midlands
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Suffolk
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Lincolnshire
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Cambridgeshire
Together, these projects could bring in an extra 670 million litres of water per day.
Short-Term Fixes Are Also in Motion
While the new reservoirs are a longer-term solution (they’ll take years to build), Hardy emphasized that other measures are already underway.
For example, reducing leaks in the country’s aging water pipes is a key focus.
That alone can help secure the supply in the meantime.
Still, she made it clear that bigger, bolder moves—like fast-tracking major water projects—are essential.
“This is about making sure everybody has the drinking water they desperately need,” Hardy said.
The Bottom Line
The warning is real: without urgent infrastructure investment, parts of England could face serious water shortages within the next decade.
But the government says it’s finally taking the bold action needed to avoid that outcome.
And while the reservoirs may take time, they could be the key to keeping taps running and homes growing for generations to come.