Four projects that will help maintain secure supplies of water to 1.8m people across Essex and Suffolk have been given a funding boost that will enable work to start sooner than planned.
Essex & Suffolk Water has received confirmation of accelerated funding from the water regulator, Ofwat, that will allow it to bring forward the start of work on four essential infrastructure projects. The vital works represent a combined £48m of investment in boosting the resilience of the water network in Essex and Suffolk.
Rather than starting work on the projects in 2025, the funding will allow progress to begin this year with a potential for up to £22.72m to be spent by the end of March 2025.
The investment includes:
- £12.74m on a new water treatment works and borehole in Linford, Essex, which will add an extra seven million litres of capacity into the local water network.
- Detailed engineering designs for the £12.49m Suffolk Strategic Network and Storage Enhancement Schemes. This work will lead to the construction of two new strategic pipelines in Suffolk, which will allow surplus water to be transferred more easily around the county to the areas that need it.
- Detailed design of the £15.08m North Suffolk Winter Storage Reservoir, which would further add resilience to Suffolk’s water supplies.
- Detailed design of the £7.79m Lowestoft Reuse scheme.The storage reservoir and reuse schemes have the potential to work alongside the Suffolk Strategic Network and Storage Enhancement Schemes to add further resilience to supplies for customers in Suffolk.
Kieran Ingram, Water Director at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “Today’s announcement by Ofwat that this investment in our region’s water resources can begin sooner is brilliant news.
“The challenges we face in Essex and Suffolk as a result of the dry weather and changing climate are recognised by this decision. These investments will support the tireless efforts of our team to keep the water flowing for all of our customers, all day, every day.
“This funding will allow us to do more, faster, and that’s great for our customers and our region.”
