Anglian Water’s major infrastructure project spanning 127km across eastern England has reached a significant milestone with the completion of pipelaying along its southern section.

The 127km section of pipeline, running from Bexwell to Colchester, forms part of a wider strategic network extending from North Lincolnshire to Essex, essentially creating a water grid longer than the M1 motorway.

This extensive network, delivered by the Strategic Pipeline Alliance – a consortium including Anglian Water, Costain, Farrans, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald Bentley – is designed to address the growing pressure on water supplies caused by rapid population growth and climate change in the region. The pipeline will enable the transfer of between 15M – 55M litres of water per day from wetter to drier areas, helping to prevent supply shortages predicted by 2030.

Constructing the pipeline through the challenging Fenlands – a marshy region with sensitive ecological habitats – careful water level management and environmental protection measures. The project has worked to safeguard local wildlife, including water voles, rare birds, bats, badgers and swans. Efforts are now focused on restoring affected land and returning it to local owners and communities.

Alongside the pipeline, related infrastructure such as pumping stations and storage reservoirs are being built. One notable facility nearing completion is a large clean water reservoir at Rede, near Bury St Edmunds, capable of holding 20M litres of water. This reservoir will supply towns including Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, and Colchester.

The project is the largest drinking water initiative undertaken in the UK in recent decades and is part of Anglian Water’s broader £11bn investment programme, nearly twice its size from the previous five-year period. Completion of this strategic water grid will pave the way for the construction of the company’s two planned new reservoirs before 2030, which are expected to provide further water security and support local economies through job creation.

In addition to its engineering achievements, the project has contributed to local communities by donating over 2,500 books to primary schools, supporting literacy initiatives, planting thousands of trees to enhance biodiversity, and providing defibrillators to public areas.

This strategic pipeline forms a critical part of efforts to future-proof water supply in eastern England amid changing climatic conditions and demographic pressures, marking a significant step in regional infrastructure development.

Anglian Water chief executive Mark Thurston said: “The next five years will define how we secure water for future generations. Strategic infrastructure like this pipeline will be essential for the significant growth in our region and building resilience in the face of a changing climate. As we experience hotter, drier summers and record-breaking demand – like the 30% increase in water use we saw in June – this pipeline marks a big step forward. We’re putting water resources in place, ready for when they’re needed most.”

Anglian Water managing director for major infrastructure delivery Andy Alder said: “Completing pipelaying in the south marks a meaningful milestone along our strategic pipeline. While moving water supply is essential for our future generations, this project is about more than that – it’s about protecting the ecosystems that depend on it. By reducing the need to take water from sensitive sources like chalk streams, we’re helping to keep more water in our rivers and allow nature to thrive. It’s a vital step in building a resilient, sustainable future for our region.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the team has delivered, and this milestone is a testament to their hard work, dedication and shared commitment to doing what’s right for both our people and the environment in the East of England.”

Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here.