Massive reservoir moves closer to reality

The project is still very much in the exploratory stages, despite the appearance of heavy machinery

Plans to build a reservoir in the South East capable of holding five billion litres of water are beginning to turn into reality.

A concept for more than 80 years, proposals to build a reservoir at Broad Oak, near Canterbury, were finally announced by South East Water (SEW) a year ago.

Estimated to cost around £362m, it is a key part of the firm's plans to keep homes supplied for the next 50 years, pumping 22 million litres a day - equivalent to 275,000 full baths.

"Population growth in the area and climate change are two factors why this water is vitally important for the future," said SEW's Nick Bell, head of water supply for Kent.

Ground investigation work is currently ongoing at the site, with trial pits being dug and soil samples being sent off for analysis.

However, the Broad Oak Water project is still very much in the exploratory stages, despite the appearance of heavy machinery and contractors in high visibility jackets in the surrounding fields.

With its final design still subject to planning, it could become the first reservoir built in the South East since the '70s.

A map showing how the reservoir might look

But it is not thought construction will start before 2028, and it will take up to a decade before reaching completion.

The aim is to take raw water from the Great Stour river near Monkton and hold it at the reservoir until needed, thereby reducing the amount currently taken from the ground and rare chalk stream habitats.

It will then get treated at a new water treatment works before supplying homes and businesses in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay.

SEW bought the land in the 1970s and say their vision for it is "driven by the environment and our ambition to support and enhance biodiversity".

It is working closely with partner agencies such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England and the Kent Wildlife Trust to follow expert guidance and ensure the protection of plant and animal species.

Mr Bell said that the development was necessary to ensure SEW's customers have an uninterrupted supply of water in the years to come.

He added that the company had also been working on fixing thousands of leaks to improve system efficiency.

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