Essex & Suffolk Water in biggest-ever upgrade

Essex & Suffolk Water is embarking on the biggest package of upgrades in its history, with a bold plan to enhance the environment, strengthen the essential water network and support communities.

The water company, which serves more than 1.8 million people across the region with reliable, high-quality water services 24/7, is investing £1 billion over five years (2025-2030).

Its investment plans will mean a reliable and resilient water supply now and for generations to come.

Essex & Suffolk Water’s five-year plan will also boost the region's economy by £1.7 billion, supporting thousands of jobs and local businesses.

And for every pound spent as part of the work, 60 pence will stay in the region, creating opportunities for local suppliers and contractors.

Work is already underway, with a number of projects in progress across the region, tackling everything from replacing ageing water mains to improving treatment works.

These investments are already improving things customers asked the water company to invest in, including enhancing the environment and strengthening resilience for homes and businesses.

Some of these projects include:

Barsham, Suffolk: A £52.1 million investment to be completed in summer 2026. A new treated water reservoir and pumping station will provide improvements to the resilience and quality of drinking water for around 75,000 customers. On land next to the existing treatment works, a new underground reservoir is being built, capable of holding 20 million litres of treated water, ready for supply to customers across a wide geographic area, including the towns of Beccles, Bungay, Lowestoft and Southwold.
Layer de la Haye, Essex: A £30 million upgrade at Layer de la Haye Water Treatment Works to improve drinking water quality and resilience for around 370,000 customers is due for completion in summer 2026. Work includes installing the UK’s first large-scale Mecana filtration system and a new sand washing facility, delivering energy and carbon savings.

More than 350 projects are planned across the region over the five years and also include:

The Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage Project: A major initiative to secure future water supplies while protecting nature and promoting sustainability. The project will deliver long-term water resilience for the region through the development of a new advanced water recycling plant, new water pipelines and two new drinking water reservoirs.
Langford Water Treatment Works: An £80 million investment between now and 2030 to improve the resilience and quality of water supplies for customers in Essex. The investment will enhance the treatment processes, helping mitigate the impact of climate change and protect the environment from over abstraction.

This investment means communities can expect more reliable water supplies during heatwaves and cold winters, as well as environmental enhancements.

For more information about Essex & Suffolk Water’s projects, visit www.eswater.co.uk/investmentplan

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