New desalination plant and reservoir to come to Norfolk and Fenland as Anglian Water secures £1billion construction contract

A water company has revealed its plans to build a new reservoir and desalination plant as part of its billion-pound economy-boosting bid.

Anglian Water has secured a £1billion deal with construction companies AtkinsRéalis and Mace and Turner & Townsend.

As a result, major projects such as a new desalination plant in Norfolk and a reservoir in Fenland can progress.

The water company says the agreement, which is set to last until 2040, will deliver on promises to its customers and the environment across East Anglia.

It claims that with the region expected to grow in population by more than 700,000 people by 2043, infrastructure and environmental upgrades are needed to support it.

Jason Tucker, director of commercial operations for Anglian Water, said: “We’ve put collaboration at the heart of Anglian Water’s infrastructure delivery for more than 20 years, making us true industry leaders in this area.

“This new contract is a hugely exciting new phase, as part of our broader ambition to deliver much-needed investment for our customers into the future.”

Andy Alder, managing director for Anglian Water’s major infrastructure delivery said: “As we look to transform our business, with a record investment into our region’s infrastructure worth £11 billion, it’s vital that we collaborate with industry experts in infrastructure delivery, and we’re confident that AtkinsRéalis, Mace and Turner & Townsend are the right partners to do that.”