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UK's First Mega Desalination Plants Planned
30 Sep
Summary
- Anglian Water plans two UK desalination plants by 2030.
- Half of UK water supply comes from groundwater aquifers.
- Brine discharge into the sea raises environmental concerns.
Anglian Water is progressing with proposals for two major desalination plants, situated in Norfolk and Lincolnshire, with an anticipated completion by 2030. These facilities are a core component of a substantial £11 billion investment plan between 2025 and 2030, designed to bolster water security in the driest and most rapidly expanding region of the UK. Without intervention, the company forecasts a daily water deficit equivalent to half of current network intake by 2050.
The desalination process will draw water from the North Sea, employing reverse osmosis and remineralisation before integrating it into the existing supply network. This method offers a climate-resilient water source, independent of rainfall variations that affect traditional resources. However, the release of brine, a byproduct of desalination, into the marine environment has sparked debate regarding its potential ecological impact.
The company has identified Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk and Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire as potential locations. Anglian Water is experiencing rapid growth, adding approximately 70,000 new customers annually, which exacerbates the strain on existing water resources. Current supplies are under pressure due to recent heatwaves and extended dry weather, with some rivers, like the River Wensum, experiencing exceptionally low flows. Notably, half of the water supply in the East of England currently relies on groundwater aquifers.
