Anglian Water is seeking contractor interest in building two multibillion pound, multi-decade reservoirs in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
The water company said it will start procuring a main contractor for the detailed design and construction of the Lincolnshire and Fens reservoirs in January 2027.
Main contractors will require “extensive involvement and expertise” of tier two and three supply chain specialists and will be expected to complete not only groundworks and building, but water treatment plant and MEICA (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation) engineering.
As part of the market engagement, Anglian Water is asking contractors how best to package the works, which include not only the reservoirs but surrounding drains, pipelines and treatment works. It also aims to engage with specialist firms to inform how it delivers the projects.
The Lincolnshire Reservoir, 2.6km wide and 3.2km long, would start construction between 2029 and 2031, aiming to be in service by 2039 at the earliest. The Fens Reservoir, about 30 miles north of Cambridge, would be slightly shorter at 2.6km wide and 2.4km long and be brought into use from 2036. Both aim to contain 50 million cubic metres of water.
Both projects are also likely to include open channel and pipeline transfers, inter-catchment treatment works, potable treatment works, potable transfer, and break pressure tanks. The Fens Reservoir is expected to require about 65 kilometers of downstream transfers, while the Lincolnshire Reservoir is likely to need about 55 kilometres.
Anglian Water is asking interested contractors to fill out a questionnaire, aiming to follow up one-to-one with some firms.
The water company recently released preliminary designs for both projects and will finish consulting on them tomorrow (9 August).
