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Broad Oak Reservoir: A Decade-Long Project to Secure Water Supply
18 Oct
Summary
- Plans for a 5-billion-litre reservoir in Broad Oak, near Canterbury
- Project estimated to cost £362m and supply 22 million litres of water per day
- Reservoir to reduce reliance on groundwater and chalk stream habitats
In October 2025, South East Water (SEW) is making progress on its plans to build a large reservoir in Broad Oak, near Canterbury. The proposed £362m project, which has been in the works for over 80 years, is a key part of SEW's strategy to ensure a reliable water supply for the region over the next 50 years.
The reservoir, capable of holding 5 billion litres of water, is expected to pump 22 million litres per day - the equivalent of 275,000 full baths. SEW's head of water supply for Kent, Nick Bell, cites population growth and climate change as the driving factors behind the need for this new water infrastructure.
While ground investigation work is currently underway at the site, the Broad Oak Water project is still in the exploratory stages. Construction is not anticipated to begin before 2028, and it will take up to a decade to complete the project. The aim is to take raw water from the nearby Great Stour river and hold it in the reservoir until needed, reducing the amount currently extracted from groundwater and sensitive chalk stream habitats.
Once completed, the reservoir will supply water to homes and businesses in Canterbury, Whitstable, and Herne Bay after being treated at a new water treatment works. SEW is working closely with environmental agencies to ensure the protection of local plant and animal species during the development.
