Drinking water shortage in decade without new reservoirs, minister says

This spring, parts of the UK experienced an unusually dry season, leading to significantly low water levels in reservoirs such as the Woodhead Reservoir in Derby. A government minister has warned that England could face serious drinking water shortages within the next decade unless new reservoirs are constructed. Reservoirs are large man-made lakes that store water, helping to secure supplies during dry periods. To address this, the government has announced plans to speed up the planning process for two new reservoir projects in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. However, these projects may still take over ten years to complete, and local communities have expressed concerns about the impact of building reservoirs near their homes and farmland. Scientists also caution that household water consumption will need to decrease to maintain supply amid rising temperatures and a growing population. The government has shifted the final decision-making power for these reservoir projects to the national level, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed overseeing the process instead of local authorities. This change aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and accelerate construction. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasized the urgency, stating that without new reservoirs, England could run out of drinking water by the mid-2030s. The reservoirs are expected to be completed by 2036 and 2040, respectively, and will help provide resilience against future droughts, especially in already dry regions with high water demand. Reservoirs collect excess rainfall during wet periods, which can then be used during droughts. Climate change is expected to bring hotter and drier summers, increasing the risk of droughts in the coming decades. The Environment Agency has reported that some reservoirs in northern England and Wales are already at notably low levels. Additional water demand from new housing developments, data centers, and other sectors could further strain supplies. Since the water sector was privatized in 1992, no major reservoirs have been completed in England. Last year, the government and water companies proposed building nine new reservoirs by 2050, which could provide an extra 670 million liters of water daily. One project, the Havant Thicket reservoir in Hampshire, is already underway and expected to finish by 2031. The government plans to classify seven other proposed reservoirs as nationally significant infrastructure, allowing the national government to make final decisions. Experts like David Porter from the Institution of Civil Engineers support streamlining the planning process, as reservoir projects are complex and slow to develop. The water industry also welcomes the announcement, with Water UK’s chief executive David Henderson stressing the importance of building reservoirs now to avoid higher costs in the future. However, building reservoirs is expensive and could lead to higher water bills for consumers. Moreover, reservoirs alone are not a complete solution. Experts like Professor Hannah Cloke from the University of Reading argue that water use must be overhauled to reduce waste, fix leaks, and recycle water. She suggests that stricter regulations on new buildings and retrofitting older homes could help conserve water more effectively than transporting water over long distances. Local opposition to reservoir projects is expected, especially from those whose properties might be affected. Dr Kevin Grecksch from the University of Oxford criticized the government’s decision to fast-track these projects, warning it could anger the public. Nevertheless, David Porter emphasized the need to balance local concerns with the greater good, stating that if a project is justified, objections must be managed to deliver essential infrastructure. In response to the government’s announcement, shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins blamed Labour’s policies on farming and immigration for increasing pressure on water supplies. She claimed that previous Conservative plans to safeguard food security and reduce migration were abandoned, leading to loss of control over rural communities and borders. Overall, the UK faces a critical challenge in securing its future water supply amid climate change, population growth, and increasing demand. Building new reservoirs is a key part of the solution, but it must be combined with better water management and conservation efforts to ensure sustainable access to drinking water for all.