Havant Thicket Reservoir is fast becoming one of the most significant infrastructure projects in modern British history. Once complete, it will be the first new reservoir built in the UK for more than 30 years, marking a long-awaited step forward in strengthening the nation’s water security.
Located in Hampshire, the reservoir is designed to provide a new, sustainable water source for the South East while easing pressure on existing supplies. At a time of growing demand and increasing climate uncertainty, Havant Thicket represents a decisive shift towards long-term planning and resilience.
The project reached a major milestone this week, when construction teams worked around the clock for 72 continuous hours to complete a critical engineering operation. A 20-tonne steel cut-off wall, built on site, was lifted into position in a single piece using a 100-tonne crane. The structure was then carefully lowered into a trench filled with a special water-tight mixture, installed with remarkable precision to within just 25 millimetres.
This complex work, carried out by specialist contractor Future Water, will sit beneath the main reservoir embankment and is a key part of ensuring the reservoir’s long-term integrity. Local residents were thanked for their patience during the operation.
Beyond water supply, Havant Thicket Reservoir will help protect two globally rare Hampshire chalk streams and create new wildlife habitats and recreational spaces. With main earthworks restarting this spring, the UK’s first new reservoir in a generation is now firmly taking shape.
