Hundreds of kilometres of new interconnecting pipelines – stretching from North Lincolnshire, through Cambridgeshire, to Suffolk and Essex – will be laid as part of the scheme.

Following completion of the first Lincoln and Grantham stretch, pipelaying is expected to start on the other sections in 2023

The Bury St Edmunds to Colchester pipeline will run for 68km and includes new above-ground assets in seven locations, including pumping stations.

Anglian Water has set up a Strategic Pipeline Alliance, comprising, Farrans, Mott MacDonald Bentley, Costain and Jacobs, to deliver the entire programme expected to cost over £400m.

Subject to planning consent, Anglian Water expects pipelaying work on the 68km stretch of southern pipeline to begin this year, along with other key sections at Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds and Grantham to Bexwell.

John Neil, who leads the team delivering the Bury St Edmunds to Colchester section, said: “With 175,000 new homes to be built in the next few years, it is vital we ensure we have resilient infrastructure in place to support local authorities in delivering their Local Plans, and residents who live in the area.

“We look forward to working with all of the local councils as they review our application.”

The combined effects of climate change and high population growth in the region means that, without action, the East of England could run out of water as soon as 2030.

The strategic pipeline will make use of the latest technology, some never used before in the UK, each one designed to reduce the carbon footprint and any environmental impact associated with the scheme delivery.

The mammoth project is part of the water company’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which looks 25 years ahead.