Framlingham

To secure the long‑term resilience of the water supply in the area, we have completed a major £3 million upgrade: installing an 8.4km strategic pipeline between Benhall Water Treatment Works and Framlingham Tower, alongside a new pumping station.

• The new pipeline will help future-proof the local water network, supporting the needs of a growing Framlingham community where new development has increased demand on existing infrastructure.
• During peak supply periods, some customers have suffered from poor pressures and potentially experienced total loss of supply. Water tankers were routinely deployed during these peak periods to maintain the water within the water tower. The cost of this alternative supply was in the region of £300,000 per annum.
• For the route of the pipeline, care was taken to avoid areas of known environmentally sensitive locations such as statutory wildlife and heritage sites and major landscape features such as woodlands, hedgerows and trees. Where areas could not be avoided, we have adopted and implemented mitigating measures to safeguard the environment.
• Project results:
  • 8km of new pipeline successfully installed;
  • New pumping station constructed and commissioned to support the transportation of the water supply;
  • Water supply resilience significantly improved for Framlingham and surrounding areas, reducing the risk of pressure drops and supply interruptions;
  • Fewer tankers on the road, reducing disruption for customers;
  • Future‑proofed infrastructure to support community growth;
  • Delivered under budget, achieving an extraordinary £13 million saving.

Essex & Suffolk Water is developing the SWRTS project to help provide a resilient and sustainable water supply for Suffolk in the future.

• The project includes proposals for:
  • a new water recycling facility near Lowestoft;
  • new strategic water storage infrastructure;
  • a network of strategic pipelines to transfer water around the region; and
  • connections into the wider Essex & Suffolk Water supply network.
• Following our early engagement in late 2025, we have continued to develop and assess the options, taking account of technical, environmental, planning, land and stakeholder considerations.
• In July 2026 we announced our Preferred Options, setting out the infrastructure and broad routes we currently intend to take forward for further development and assessment.
• There are no preferred SWRTS works currently proposed within Framlingham or its immediate vicinity. The closest elements of the preferred network are further east towards Saxmundham/Leiston.
• The project is still at an early stage of development. Further surveys, environmental assessment, engineering design and engagement will now take place to refine the proposals ahead of the next stage of public consultation.
• People can view the Preferred Options Announcement, latest mapping and further project information on the SWRTS project website suffolkwaternetwork.co.uk

A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) was introduced on Monday 3 August; it applies to all household customers in Essex and Suffolk.

• A TUB restricts the use of a hosepipe and any attachment to a hosepipe such as a pressure washer, sprinkler, irrigation system.
• The prolonged heatwaves and dry weather have led to an increased demand for water, as customers try to stay cool and hydrated. Customers are using an average of an extra 29 million litres of water per day, that’s the equivalent of adding an extra Chelmsford onto our existing supply area!
• It has also impacted reservoir levels, with Hanningfield and Abberton sitting at a combined average of 69%, which is below average for this time of year.
• Visit this web page www.eswater.co.uk/temporaryuseban to read more about the ban, including FAQs and details on exemptions.

If you live in Framlingham, your drinking water is supplied by a blend of water from Benhall WTW and Walpole WTW.

• The water flowing into Benhall WTW and Walpole WTW comes from groundwater sources (boreholes). For Benhall there are 3 boreholes, 2 onsite and 1 off site at Little Glenham.

In 2025-30 we will invest £1.5bn – our largest ever sum.

• We’re creating 3,000 jobs a year across our business and adding £1.7bn to the local economy through employment and using local suppliers.
• We’re investing £386m in new water supplies to ensure the security of your water supply in the future.
• Investing £17.5m to reduce what are already the lowest leakage levels in the country.
• £73.4m on helping you to save water by introducing compulsory water meters and offering water saving tips.

Bluespaces are water environments accessible to customers via road, footpath, bridleway, other public rights of way, or at a country park or beach.

• We made a pledge to improve 500km of Bluespaces for our customers by 2030. So far, we are over halfway to reaching our goal and have big ambitions for delivering positively impactful projects where they are most needed.
• Since its initiation in 2020, the Bluespaces partnership funding scheme has helped deliver over 6,000 volunteer days and engaged over 18,000 members of the public across 59 projects and 500 events. Our co-funding has helped plant nearly 20,000 new trees, created over 400 hectares of new wetland, and helped tackle eight different kinds of invasive non-native species (INNS), as well as enhancing access and recreational facilities for local communities. 
• Please visit: Our Scheme for more information on our funding streams.
• We encourage our customers and local groups to let us know where and what these should be. If you have any ideas, get in touch by emailing Bluespaces@nwl.co.uk

The Branch Out scheme supports the resilience of the natural environment across our operating & catchment areas.

• It provides funding to communities, land managers, partner organisations, and individuals to deliver projects that enhance biodiversity, improve habitat connectivity, and strengthen the ecosystems that people and wildlife depend on.
• For more information on eligibility and application, as well as the details of our three main funding streams, please go to our website at: Branch Out funds 
• Have a project in mind? Please speak to the Branch Out team at Branchout@nwl.co.uk

Field to Tap funding is available for farmers and landowners, and covers a variety of infrastructure, field options, training and innovation to improve water quality.

• To view some examples of our previous funding projects, please visit Field To Tap 
• If you would like any further information regarding our work in catchment or are interested in funding opportunities please email us catchment@nwl.co.uk

We know our communities are facing a cost-of-living crisis with bills going up.

• We are committed to helping those that need it most. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay their bills, please talk to us.
• There are lots of ways we can help: eswater.co.uk/bill-help
• We’re increasing our customer support to over £66m. This will include a £20m hardship fund.
• The extra money raised by increased bills will only fund improvements in our water system.

Find out more about leaks, water disruptions, and your water quality reports in your area.

Visit: Check your area

By 2035, all water meters in the UK will be smart.

• Visit: Could a water meter save you money? to use our usage calculator to estimate how much your bill would be if you switched to a meter.
• A smart water meter lets you track exactly how much water your household is using, helping you spot leaks early and keep your bills accurate. They also help us understand how water is used across our network so we can keep clean, clear, great-tasting tap water flowing to your home.
• Visit: Smart water meters to read more about smart meters and our rollout.

We think it’s important to give back to make a positive impact in our local communities.

• All our team are encouraged to volunteer to support community groups and charities through our Just an Hour scheme.
• This initiative gets our teams out in the communities we serve, supporting great causes. People choose causes that resonate with them personally - for at least 15 hours a year.
• Want to know more? Please see: Just an hour: Case studies or email justanhour@nwl.co.uk to find out how we can support your organisation.