Climate change is already having an impact. We’ve just experienced the driest Spring and Summer since 1976, and drier conditions are becoming more frequent. What’s more when the temperature rises the demand for water goes up too, putting extra pressure on our network. At the same time, Cambridgeshire is expected to grow by around 22% over the next 15 years.  That’s an estimated population boost of around 143,000 residents.

Cambridgeshire’s water supply is also closely tied to its chalk aquifers and chalk streams, which are both ecologically and hydrologically significant. By introducing an alternative water supply, we can help protect these rare and fragile ecosystems that are vital for wildlife and biodiversity and reduce the amount of water we take from natural sources. This is especially important now, as abstraction licenses continue to tighten.​

Plans in progress

Building this strategic pipe is just one way we’re planning ahead for the future.

If you’d like to know more about our plans to mitigate challenges that we’re facing in this region and how we’re securing water for the future, read our Water Resource Management Plan.