It’s ten years since world renowned biologist and national treasure, Sir David Attenborough, officially opened the new and improved Abberton Reservoir (3 June 2015).
Located near Layer-de-la-Haye, just outside Colchester in Essex, the £150million expansion of the reservoir increased capacity by 58 per cent, to 41 billion litres of water – or 16,400 Olympic sized swimming pools.
The project took 20 years from start to finish and involved multiple agencies, stakeholders and a dedicated team of colleagues within Essex & Suffolk Water to make sure it happened.
Kieran Ingram, Water Director, said: “We know we have incredible colleagues but it is especially obvious when we are able to reflect on the achievements and success of projects such as Abberton.
“Back in 1992, our water demand team recognised there might be a long-term need to increase capacity to meet demand and, to pre-empt this need, in 1998 after investigating several options, it was decided to expand the reservoir by raising the banks. As the project team set to work getting the necessary permissions, they worked closely with the environment team to make sure the unique habitat of wildlife found on the site remained protected.
“Now ten years later we have a reservoir location that is teeming with wildlife and supported by the Essex Wildlife Trust visitor’s centre, is a go-to place for walkers, families, and wildlife enthusiasts. As well as helping provide fresh, clean, tasty water to our supply areas in south Essex and East London.”
Essex & Suffolk Water continues to invest in future water supply resilience, most recently with the construction of a 19.5km raw water pipeline from Layer to Langford, that will safeguard water supplies for 370,000 customers across Essex.
Abberton Reservoir was originally constructed between 1936 and 1939 and was finished just at the start of the Second World War.
There was a concern that the reservoir might come under attack during air raids, so 312 naval mines were laid across it to protect the pumping station. One of the mines has been made safe and sits proudly on display at a nearby water treatment works.
Over the years it has attracted a huge range of national wildlife, allowing it to be deemed a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1955, then as a bird sanctuary in 1967, and a wetland of international importance in 1971.
In 1991, it was classified under the EC Birds Directive as a special protection area, making it numerically the most important reservoir in Britain for wintering wildfowl.
Not long after this classification, in 1992 discussion began about the possibility of raising the banks and increasing the capacity of Abberton.
When opening the newly expanded reservoir, Sir David Attenborough said: “I can remember a time when nature conservation and development were seen to be in opposition - you either developed or conserved - and that led to confrontation. Here at Abberton Reservoir this is fundamentally, extraordinarily and wonderfully different. This development has been constructed hand-in-hand to create a wonderment for people and wildlife who live and visit here and a godsend for people who depend on it for water. It is a blessing, a wonder and a great admiration to see what has been achieved by this partnership being celebrated."