Water from Lincolnshire is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting drier regions of the UK, as revealed by Anglian Water. The company has announced plans to handle increased demand in wake of changing weather conditions and new environmental laws. A prominent facet of the strategy includes a proposal for a new reservoir near Sleaford and a more than 200 miles long pipeline. This new development is part of Anglian Water’s wider initiative to distribute surplus Lincolnshire water to other areas including Essex and Buckinghamshire.
The government has placed a spotlight on concerns regarding swift population growth, rapidly deteriorating infrastructure, and the growing threat of climate change. Unless infrastructural improvements are made, the UK could potentially experience water shortages as early as the mid-2030s. Anglian Water’s Water Resources Management Plan has been designed to ensure water supply until 2050 by transferring water from the wetter Midlands region to the drier southern areas. A pipeline spanning 205 miles is currently being constructed, connecting North Lincolnshire to Essex. The entire network is slated for completion by 2028.
Without these crucial improvements, even Lincolnshire could potentially face dwindling water supply due to the impact of climate change and river protection regulations, as indicated by the water company. The proposed plans also include the construction of two new reservoirs, including the one near Sleaford, with potential construction scheduled to commence in 2031. As part of its effort to prevent water shortages, Anglian Water plans to institute measures such as mandatory smart metering and aggressive leak reduction.
Residents of Lincolnshire are encouraged to stay abreast of these developments by following local coverage on BBC Sounds or submitting related stories for coverage.
This report has been adapted by The Lincoln Post from the original coverage reported by the BBC.
