Anglian Water launches £11bn infrastructure plan for East of England

Why it matters: The company says the plan, nearly double the investment of the previous five-year period, aims to prepare the East of England for projected population growth of 720,000 new residents over the next two decades while addressing climate change concerns.

The big picture: A £1bn portion of the funding will specifically target storm overflow spills, with plans to increase stormwater storage capacity and install AI monitoring systems across the network.

By the numbers:

• £11bn total investment over five years

• £1bn dedicated to reducing storm overflows

• 470,000 cubic metres of new stormwater storage (equivalent to nearly six million baths)

• Nearly 50,000 AI sewer monitors to be installed by the end of next year

• Over 1,000km of water mains to be replaced

For context: Anglian Water has faced significant fines in recent years for environmental violations. The company was fined £300,000 for illegally discharging sewage into the Broads Special Area of Conservation, and in 2019 paid £1,221,000 for two pollution incidents that affected waterways with ammonia and reduced oxygen levels. Another incident in Northamptonshire resulted in £560,170 in fines and costs after sewage discharge killed 5,000 fish.

What they're saying: "Our responsibilities extend far beyond being a water company. We are fundamental to enabling growth and prosperity for businesses and communities alike," said Mark Thurston, Chief Executive at Anglian Water.

The details: The company plans to fast-track its stormwater infrastructure work over the next two years, supported by an additional 200 dedicated staff over the next 12 months.

What's next: By the end of the decade, Anglian Water expects to have completed its strategic water grid and be ready to begin construction on two new reservoirs for the region.

The bottom line: This investment aims to simultaneously support economic growth, create jobs, and improve the company's environmental performance across the region.