New reservoir guidance launched

New guidance has been published by Water Resources East to support farmers, landowners and planners in developing farm reservoirs across Eastern England.

This includes:

- a national landscapes guide for sensitive areas such as Suffolk and Essex

- a dedicated East of England guide, with specific focus on the Fens

This work supports delivery of the Fens2100+ Case for Change, including the 17-point action plan to improve long-term water resilience across the region.

Why this matters

Eastern England is already one of the driest and most water-stressed parts of the UK, with increasing pressure from climate change, demand and tighter abstraction controls.

Reservoirs are a key part of the response. By storing water in wetter periods, they reduce reliance on summer abstraction and help protect rivers and wetlands, while strengthening farm resilience. Water Resources East hosted a webinar exploring this in more detail.

A specific focus on the Fens

The East of England guide highlights the unique opportunity in the Fens, where water is actively managed through drains, channels and pumping stations.

It shows how:

- winter water that is currently discharged to sea can be captured and stored

- reservoirs can be integrated with existing infrastructure

- storage can move from individual assets to more connected systems across catchments

This reflects a shift towards more coordinated, system-wide approaches to water management in the Fens.

Supporting better delivery

The guidance provides practical advice on planning, permissions and design, with a clear focus on:

- getting the right evidence and approvals early

- designing reservoirs that work with the landscape

- delivering schemes that support both agriculture and the environment