Public engagement has launched for Broad Oak Water, a proposed new reservoir in Kent that aims to support long-term water security while reducing pressure on environmentally sensitive chalk streams. South East Water is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to share their views on early proposals for the project, which would be located to the north of Canterbury.
The six-week engagement period opened on Wednesday 4 February 2026 and will run until midnight on Wednesday 18 March 2026. During this time, feedback can be provided through online channels and a series of in-person events across the region.
Broad Oak Water reservoir and future water supply
The Broad Oak Water reservoir is intended to play a key role in securing reliable and sustainable water supplies for Kent. If developed, it could store approximately 5,126 million litres of water and supply up to 22 million litres per day, equivalent to around 275,000 full baths.
South East Water has owned land at Broad Oak since the 1970s, but rising demand, climate change pressures and environmental considerations have increased the need for new water resources in recent years. The company has identified the reservoir as part of its plans to reduce abstraction from local chalk streams, which are internationally rare and environmentally sensitive.
The proposed reservoir also features in Canterbury City Council’s emerging Local Plan and forms a key component of South East Water’s Water Resources Management Plan 2024.
Public engagement process and next steps
Nick Price, Head of Water Resources at South East Water, said the project is designed to strengthen resilience while supporting environmental protection.
“Building Broad Oak Water will ensure a resilient and sustainable water supply for customers in Kent into the future. It will help us protect the chalk streams in Kent and adapt to climate change as we can capture and store water following rainfall events. Proposed just north of Canterbury, it’s also one of very few locations in the region where a reservoir could be built due to its unique geology and ideal geography.
“The project has reached many milestones recently. Last year we completed our ground investigation works and submitted our Environmental Impact Assessment scoping opinion to the local planning authorities. Our public engagement is the next major step, and we encourage people to come along to our upcoming events and have their say on our early proposals.”
Further details on how to take part in the public engagement are available via South East Water’s Broad Oak Water public engagement website.
Following the close of the engagement period on 18 March 2026, South East Water will review all feedback to inform further design development. Additional consultation is planned for 2027, ahead of submission of a planning application in early 2028.
Related coverage on reservoirs and long-term water supply planning can be found in the H2O Global News Water Management section.
