Water, water, everywhere but not a drop to drink

As we enter English summertime, an impending water crisis is gaining media and political attention. Following an exceptionally dry spring, parts of the country are officially in drought, according to the Environmental Agency.

The East of England has experienced very low rainfall in recent years, with some areas receiving less than 2mm of rain in a month. This has led to a significant decline in river flows and groundwater levels. The region faces projected water shortages of 800 million litres per day by 2050. This staggering figure represents nearly a third of the region’s total water usage. Anglian Water, one of the key suppliers in the region, has warned that without intervention, water scarcity could severely impact agricultural production and economic development.

Climate change is exacerbating drought conditions. This combined with rising demand is exposing the problems of our ageing water infrastructure, which was built decades ago around more predictable seasons. The cycle of high rainfall in wintertime that is conserved through reservoirs and supplied for high demand periods in summer has been turned on its head with much less predictable but more intense periods of rainfall that causes floods and cannot be captured because we don’t have enough storage. Instead, excess rainwater runs off into rivers and out to sea.

Urgent action is needed to secure sustainable water supplies, without which plans for growth cannot be realised. Water scarcity is a major problem for house building with government targets unlikely to be met unless water can be supplied to new homes. Shortages are already impacting industries like agriculture, which relies heavily on water for irrigation. With 79% of the region classified as farmland, any disruption to water availability could have far-reaching consequences for food production. Some farm businesses may need to reduce their water abstraction by more than 60%, a move that could threaten food security.

Other businesses with high water use, like breweries, are also affected. It takes 5 litres of water to produce one litre of beer. Constraints on water use could force some businesses to close or move outside a water restriction zone.

Government has responded with announcements that it is speeding up the planning process for two nationally significant projects, with final decisions about the proposed Fens Reservoir in Cambridgeshire and the Lincolnshire Reservoir to be taken by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, rather than at a local level. These are expected to provide water for 750,000 homes once completed.

But these reservoirs could still be more than a decade away from opening, which suggests we are in urgent need of additional solutions. As we have previously outlined agricultural reservoirs can be part of the answer in the East of England. Agricultural reservoirs, also known as farm dams, are essential water sources for agricultural activities in Australia, with over 1.7 million nationwide.

Rainwater harvesting is another approach that could be built into all new housing developments like Clay Farm in Cambridge. Here roof and surface rainwater is captured, pre-treated in a reed bed and stored in a concrete tank. From there the water is pumped into all WCs in the development through a dedicated water pipe network. This ‘grey water system’ is now a regulatory feature of new developments in parts of Flanders, Belgium.

Water Resources East has proposed a £15 billion investment in leakage reduction, improved efficiency in homes and businesses, and better water conservation practices. The government is also considering legislation to streamline future reservoir projects, ensuring that critical infrastructure can be built without unnecessary delays.

Water scarcity in the East of England is a growing concern that requires immediate and sustained action. With projected shortages threatening agriculture, economic growth, and daily life, the development of new reservoirs offers a promising solution. However, long-term resilience will depend on a combination of infrastructure investment, policy changes, and public engagement. By taking decisive steps now, the region can secure a sustainable water future for generations to come.