Introduction to Broad Oak Water
We’re planning to build a new reservoir to the north of Canterbury in Kent, a key water resources scheme in our Water Resources Management Plan(opens in a new tab). We are currently at the design phase with plans to develop and submit a planning application in 2028.
Once complete, Broad Oak Water will ensure a resilient and sustainable water supply that will benefit the natural environment and community, now and in the future.
Broad Oak Water is a large-scale investment and will be the second major reservoir to be built in the south east in the last three decades. It will not only help meet the future demand for drinking water in East Kent, but also create new habitats, increase biodiversity and provide social benefits for the local community.
It could hold 5,126 million litres of water and supply up to 22 million litres of water a day, equivalent to 275,000 full baths. Raw water would be taken from the Great Stour and Little Stour and then held at the reservoir until needed, before being treated at a new water treatment works and pumped to homes and businesses.
The scheme originates as early as the 1940s with the land purchased by South East Water in the 1970s. Plans for the reservoir have featured consistently in our Water Resources Management Plans in recent years to reduce the amount of water we take from groundwater and rare chalk stream habitats. We aim to deliver water from the reservoir from 2035.
Public engagement on our early proposals
To help us carefully consider local perspectives as we continue to develop our plans, we held a six-week public engagement period from Wednesday 4 February to Wednesday 18 March 2026.
Whether you joined us at our face-to-face events, participated online or sent us your comments directly, we wanted to thank you for taking part. Your feedback, comments and local insights are valuable as we move forward through the design process.
This was our initial phase of engagement on our early design proposals. We were seeking feedback related to the recreational and visitor amenities as well as open feedback, comments and local insights to guide our work moving forward. Our intention is that in 2027, we will hold further public consultation on more refined proposals to present how we have taken feedback on-board through our design development and gather further feedback ahead of submitting a planning application in 2028.
Click below to view the key materials relating to our early proposals.
Behind the reservoir newsletter
Get official updates, latest progress and opportunities to get involved with Broad Oak Water straight to your inbox with our quarterly newsletter, Behind the reservoir.
Stakeholder and community engagement
We have established a Stakeholder Advisory Group with representatives from local organisations to help shape our proposals for Broad Oak Water.
The group, which meets regularly, is comprised of professional organisations in the fields of tourism, business, culture and heritage, environmental bodies, community groups and residents' associations, alongside parish councils and borough councillors.
Their role is to help us shape Broad Oak Water, submit views on behalf of the wider community and share their in-depth knowledge and insights, making sure we can mitigate potential issues and understand local feelings.
An environmentally-led scheme
Our vision for Broad Oak Water is driven by the environment and our ambition to support and enhance biodiversity:
- Broad Oak Water will reduce our impact on chalk streams, as we reduce our abstraction from groundwater sources.
- South East Water is working closely with partner agencies such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England and the Kent Wildlife Trust to follow expert guidance and ensure the protection of plant and animal species.
- We have an obligation to fulfil Biodiversity Net Gain targets, providing new habitats and enhancing the area.
The reservoir will provide new greenspace and areas of nature accessible to the local community and visitors, as well as the potential for community activities such as walking trails, cycling, bird watching, and educational activities.
Carrying out survey work
In 2024, we started wider surveys of the Broad Oak Water site, and the local area, to better understand:
- The wildlife that lives and visits the site
- The flow of local rivers and water quality
- The ground conditions
- The heritage of any buildings.
This extensive work will continue until 2028, providing us with a baseline from which to plan, measure and design.
Find out more about surveys undertaken for this project here.
Preserving local heritage, archaeology surveys
As we progress with the design for Broad Oak Water, we’re committed to understanding and protecting the local landscapes.
Over the coming year, you may see our teams out in the field conducting heritage, archaeology and utility surveys.
We will be conducting a two-phase archaeological investigation. Our goal is to contribute to the understanding of the historic environment, preserve through record any archaeological finds that might be impacted by our works, and where possible, preserve any structural remains.
- Phase 1 - Geophysical scanning - We’ll begin with geophysical surveys to scan the ground to identify any potential buried structures or historical deposits without digging
- Phase 2 - Trial excavations - Based on the results of the scans, we’ll move to trial excavations. These works will confirm the extent, character, significance and date of any archaeological remains.
When will these works take place? Phase 1 has commenced and will continue into Summer/Autumn 2026, with Phase 2 following around Spring/Autumn 2027. This approach is being coordinated and agreed upon with Senior Archaeological Officers at Kent County Council.
Mapping the network, utility surveys
To confirm the feasibility of our raw water pipeline routes, we need to map existing underground services located within agricultural fields. Like the archaeological surveys, this is a multi-step process.
- Phase 1 - Desktop surveys - We’ll begin by reviewing existing records and maps to gather a baseline understanding of underground utilities in the local area
- Phase 2 - Radar scanning - Our team will then use ground penetrating radar scanning to gain a more detailed understanding
- Phase 3 - Exploratory excavation - The final phase will involve exploratory excavation to confirm the exact depth of the utilities.
When will these works take place? The utility surveys are scheduled to take place in Summer 2026.
What this means for you? Our aim is to carry out these works with minimal disruption to the community. We do not anticipate any impact on local transport routes or road networks.
While most paths will remain open, some diversions to Public Rights of Way may be necessary for safety. Any such diversions will be made in full agreement with local authorities and clearly signposted.
Ground investigation works
From July to November 2025, Ground Investigation (GI) works took place mostly in agricultural fields close to the reservoir site.
This was not construction work and did not signal the start of the reservoir build, however, machinery, personnel and activity was visible on-site for the first time.
We were exploring the subsurface soils, rocks and groundwater to assess ground conditions and guide our engineers so that when construction begins, we will be able to build safely by avoiding unsuitable ground.
This exploratory survey work will provide us with the data necessary to plan the reservoir design with a sustainable and cost-effective engineering solution.
Get in touch
For enquiries relating to Broad Oak Water, please contact broadoak@southeastwater.co.uk.