New waterworks proposals to affect large area of Suffolk

The developing projects are designed to ensure future supplies of drinking water for the East of England, one of the driest regions in the UK. It will help to alleviate the shortage of water supply for new businesses and new homes in north-east Suffolk.

Essex and Suffolk Water’s “Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage Project” is made up of two key elements, the development of a new Advanced Water Recycling Plant, north of Lowestoft, capable of producing 11 million litres per day of purified recycled water, and strategic network enhancements that will support a more reliable and resilient water supply for the region.

A network of proposed pipelines, connecting existing infrastructure to proposed pipelines and buried reservoirs, will reach from Bungay down to Leiston and Saxmundham and as far west as Eye. The project includes two underground drinking water service reservoirs, located near Eye and Heveningham.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reorganisation and NSIPs, said:

“There is an urgent need for water in parts of our region, notably the Hartismere Water Resource Zone, that is holding back business growth and we acknowledge the need for this kind of water security project.

“But these will be significant developments across much of north and east Suffolk, and we will be paying particular attention to proposals for coordinating with other significant infrastructure projects in the county.

“Numerous Suffolk communities continue to experience a barrage of these large projects – Sizewell C, Sea Link, LionLink, offshore wind, solar farms and pylon routes.

“Project promoters have an absolute responsibility to coordinate with each other to mitigate the disruption to the everyday life of our residents – for example, reducing impacts by integrating transport and infrastructure challenges.

“These are not just an inconvenience to local people, but have many subsequent effects, such as disruption to local businesses, issues with access and rights of way, and health and wellbeing.”

Local communities and parishes are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the plans and contribute to a consultation which launched on 29 October and is open until 10 December 2025.

Councillor Richard Rout, continued:

“Large infrastructure projects place significant strain on local communities, who are constantly addressing consultations, hearings, or experiencing issues with works currently underway.

“But their local knowledge is crucial for these projects, it is the only way that developers can understand the on-the-ground issues and where mitigations need to be made.

“Suffolk County Council will be reviewing the proposals and submitting our response to the consultation – we encourage local parishes and communities to do the same.”

Information and consultation details for Essex and Suffolk Water’s “Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage Project”, can be found at www.suffolkwaternetwork.co.uk