Work to date

Before our phase one consultation, we completed a detailed site selection study to identify the proposed site for the reservoir.

We completed multiple stages of assessments to identify our proposed site. This aimed to make sure we identified a location that would be suitable for hosting a reservoir, and aimed to minimise impacts on nearby areas and communities, and meet planning and regulatory frameworks.

You can find out more about this process by reading our reservoir site selection report here

The proposed reservoir is located between Chatteris and March, near to Doddington, Wimblington and Manea. We asked people for their feedback on the areas we identified during our phase one consultation.

Find out more

We have since been progressing our proposals for the reservoir site to give everyone a better idea of what it could look like and what it could deliver, considering the feedback we received.

We asked for people’s views on our latest proposals for the reservoir site as part of our phase two consultation, which closed on 9 August 2024.

You can find out more about our phase two consultation that has already taken place, here.

You can see our latest proposals for the reservoir site, including our emerging masterplan, here

Connecting the reservoir to sources and supply

One of the key factors in choosing the preferred location for the reservoir was the availability of water to supply it, and where in the existing water system we needed to connect to for supply to homes and businesses.

Sources

When completing our site selection process for the reservoir itself, we had already identified possible water sources that would have water available to fill the reservoir.

These are the sources which are included in our phase two proposals, shown in the order of which we would draw available water from them:

The Middle Level system
Either the River Great Ouse or the Ouse Washes (River Delph)
The River Nene and its Counter Drain

You can find out more about how we’re planning to draw water from these sources and transfer the water to the reservoir here

Supplying water

Half the treated water from the new reservoir is needed by Anglian Water customers, and the other half by Cambridge Water customers. These supply needs are identified in both companies’ draft Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs).

The WRMPs identify Bexwell in Norfolk as the best place to connect to Anglian Water’s supply, and two locations in Cambridgeshire, Bluntisham and Madingley, for Cambridge Water’s supply.

You can find out more about how we’re planning to treat the water and transfer it to supply homes and businesses here

Identifying the right options

We’ve completed a multi-stage assessment to identify preferred ways for transferring water to and from the reservoir, and the associated water infrastructure needed.

This included:

route options for transferring water to the reservoir via new underground pipelines or existing waterways
possible locations near the water sources for building the equipment needed
location options for a new water treatment works
routes for transferring treated water into supply via new underground pipelines and service reservoirs.

Find out more about what our latest proposals for this infrastructure includes here

Working with stakeholders

We engaged a range of stakeholders who provided input throughout the appraisal process, including:

Statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England.
Water management, waterway and drainage authorities, including the Middle Level Commissioners.
Local authorities, to seek their initial views on how we could minimise potential impacts and maximise potential benefits.

This illustrative map shows the sources where water is being transferred from to the reservoir, and then where the treated water is being sent into supply. This illustrative map shows the sources where water is being transferred from to the reservoir, and then where the treated water is being sent into supply.