UK’s Reservoir Project Launched to Tackle Growing Drought Fears
The UK government plans to accelerate UK’s Reservoir Project to address rising water scarcity. England may be facing its driest spring in over a century. In a rare move, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will directly oversee two large reservoir developments in eastern England—the first such action in 30 years.
DEFRA cited population growth, outdated infrastructure, and climate change as key drivers behind this step. Without major upgrades, the UK could face clean water shortages by the mid-2030s.
The government has labeled the two UK’s Reservoir Project as “nationally significant infrastructure.” This designation shifts control from local councils to central authorities. The goal is to speed up approvals and deliver clean water to over 750,000 homes in drought-prone regions.
The Met Office warned this spring might be the driest in more than 100 years. While final rainfall data is due at the end of May, early indicators show extreme dryness. The Environment Agency (EA) reported the driest start to spring in 69 years. As a result, farmers began irrigation earlier, increasing pressure on their private water storage.
Climate Resilience and Long-Term Plans
This month, the Environment Agency convened its national drought group. The group noted a “medium risk” of summer drought if rain remains scarce. Richard Thompson, the EA’s deputy water director, warned that climate change will likely bring more frequent summer droughts.
To address future risks, DEFRA plans new laws that will automatically classify key water projects as nationally significant. This change will cut red tape and speed up progress on nine additional reservoirs.
The government aims to complete one reservoir in East Anglia by 2036 and another in Lincolnshire by 2040. Water companies have also committed to building seven more reservoirs by 2050. These efforts aim to strengthen the UK’s long-term water security
