End of summer project update
Update – 18 September 2026
As the UK experienced its hottest summer on record, the need for a resilient water supply has never felt more important. That’s why our work is continuing at pace on plans for a new reservoir in the Fens. In this latest e-newsletter, we’re sharing some of our recent work along with updates on what’s coming next.
What we’ve been up to
It's been a busy summer for the project team as we've been meeting residents, families and local organisations at events across the Cambridgeshire Fens.
We've already enjoyed speaking with people at the March Summer Festival and Chatteris Midsummer Festival, sharing updates on the project and hearing what's important to local communities.
We also attended Whittlesey Festival on 13 September. It was great to meet you there and answer your questions and hear your thoughts on the proposals.
Building partnerships for the future
A strong turnout of more than 130 attendees from across the water and infrastructure sectors joined our first market engagement event in June, marking an important milestone as we begin engaging with future suppliers.
The event provided an opportunity to share our vision for the project, alongside our delivery strategy, construction plans and procurement approach. It was the first step in building lasting relationships with organisations that could help bring the reservoir to life.
With further engagement events, one-to-one discussions and opportunities for local suppliers planned, there's much more to come.
Supporting Fenland communities
While we're developing infrastructure that will provide a resilient water supply for future generations, we're also committed to making a positive difference for people and places today.
One way we're doing this is through our community volunteering programme, which encourages project staff to support local charities, community groups and environmental initiatives across Fenland.
Our volunteering journey began in July 2026, when some of our wider Anglian Water team spent a day supporting Project Abundance, a Peterborough-based charity that uses community allotments and food-growing initiatives to improve wellbeing, develop practical skills and bring people together. Over the course of the day, the team contributed 56 volunteer hours, helping to maintain growing spaces that provide opportunities for learning, social connection and access to fresh produce for local residents.
This is just the beginning. Over autumn 2026, we have further volunteering days planned across communities associated with the project. We're working with organisations such as Groundwork East to identify opportunities where our support can make the biggest difference.
As our programme develops, we'll continue looking for opportunities that create meaningful benefits for local communities while helping us build stronger connections with the areas in which we work.
- Supporting skills development and employability
- Helping vulnerable people and communities
- Improving places where people and nature come together
Gathering vital insights
Site surveys are helping us understand local ground conditions, ecology and archaeology so we can refine the reservoir design and support our future planning application.
This year’s survey work is continuing across the site, and the areas identified for associated water infrastructure, with investigations running through to December 2026.
- Boreholes & geo archaeology test pits – small holes and pits used to understand ground conditions and any historic features.
- 264 ground investigations – surveys to understand the nature and condition of the ground.
- 225km2 of geophysical surveys – non-intrusive surveys to identify features below the surface.
- Over 900 archaeological trial trenches – trenches used to check for archaeological remains or important features.
- Observational trial pits – pits used to check for periglacial shears that could change our design philosophy.
We recently found a post-medieval glass bottle stopper.
If you live nearby, you may see equipment such as excavators or drilling rigs while surveys are taking place, and there may be some minor daytime noise.
If you need to contact us about work in your area, please call 0800 915 2492.
What’s next for our proposed reservoir in the Fens
As our understanding of the project grows and we continue to refine our design, we now plan to hold our next phase of consultation in 2027 and will be preparing to submit an application for development consent in 2028.
We will continue to work closely with local communities, landowners and other stakeholders in shaping our plans for the reservoir, helping to ensure we deliver lasting benefits for people, nature and water.
You can read our feedback summary from our phase three consultation here.
Inspiring the next generation
Through our Reservoirs Education Programme, we’ve been bringing the project into local schools and colleges, delivering classroom sessions, assemblies, careers activities and curriculum-linked resources that have already reached hundreds of students.
This autumn, we'll be inviting local sixth-form and college students to join the new Young Ambassador Forum for the proposed reservoir in the Fens. The Forum will give young people the chance to learn more about the project, meet people working on it, and share their thoughts and ideas as plans continue to develop, as well as helping them gain valuable experience and insight into future career opportunities.
If you would like more information about our Education Programme, please click here.
Get in touch
Contact the project team today.
Freephone: 0800 915 2492
Email: info@fensreservoir.co.uk
Post: Freepost Fens Reservoir