Introduction
The work of the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group is central to the government’s ambition to work with local partners to support the growth of Greater Cambridge; in a way that is sustainable, maximises the city’s economic potential, and enhances the quality of life for the local community.
Growth in Cambridge is already under significant pressure due to water supply issues. A combination of low rainfall and high temperatures, population growth, and environmental requirements has increased the strain on groundwater sources – including the area’s chalk streams – and has delayed development as a result. The group aims to drive forward progress in solving water scarcity and resource issues, to unlock development in the short-term and ensure a sustainable supply of water.
Objectives
The objectives of the Water Scarcity Group are to advise government on the development of a detailed approach to water scarcity issues in Greater Cambridge in the short, medium, and long-term, and to advise on wastewater and drainage services.
The Group is chaired by Dr Paul Leinster (current Chair of Water Resources East and previous Chief Executive of the Environment Agency), and consists of key stakeholders including water companies, the Environment Agency and water regulators, and the local planning authority. It advises the Cambridge Strategy Unit in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and meets on a monthly basis to discuss progress.
Approach
The Group is responsible for advising on the government’s multi-pronged approach to tackling water scarcity, which includes:
- A commitment to work with local partners to deliver water savings in the short-term until water companies bring major infrastructure online, including through measures that reduce, reuse, and offset water;
- Working with water companies to assure the delivery of medium-term major water supply infrastructure, including the proposed Grafham Water to Bury St Edmunds (via Cambridge) pipeline transfer and Fens Reservoir to secure water supply for future generations;
- Developing an approach to water scarcity in the long-term by exploring regional infrastructure options; and
- Identifying the implications of growth on wastewater and drainage services and advise on solutions.
Context
The previous government set out its intention to address water scarcity and published a joint statement from MHCLG, Defra, the EA and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, agreeing that growth should not be impeded if measures to address water supply issues in Cambridge are properly addressed, alongside the delivery of water company commitments.
In August 2024, the Housing Minister wrote to local leaders in Cambridge, re-affirming the importance of tackling water scarcity in Cambridge, and recognising the work of key stakeholders such as the Water Scarcity Group in enabling progress to be made on nationally significant priorities. At Autumn Budget 2024, Peter Freeman was confirmed as Chair of the Cambridge Growth Company and £10 million of new funding was announced to enable the development of an ambitious plan for Greater Cambridge, including measures to address water scarcity.
Progress update
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, provided a written statement to Parliament on 23rd October 2025. This included an update on the Water Scarcity Group’s work, and committed further funding to water efficiency programmes in Greater Cambridge. The statement also committed to use Cambridge as a testbed to trial innovative water interventions, including to switch on the water recycling system at the Eddington development in North-West Cambridge in 2026.
The library below provides access to the latest meeting minutes and reports commissioned by or on behalf of the Water Scarcity Group. Follow @Water Resources East on LinkedIn to stay in touch with further reports as they are published.
Invited representatives
Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, the Consumer Council for Water, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, Homes England, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), MOSL, Ofwat, Water Resources East.
Useful links
WRE’s Regional Water Resources Plan for Eastern England
Anglian Water’s 2024 Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24)
Joint statement on addressing water scarcity in Greater Cambridge (March 2024)
Letter from the Housing Minister to local leaders in Greater Cambridge (August 2024)
Written statement by the Minister for Housing and Planning (October 2025)
Get in touch
If you have a specific query about the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group, you can get in touch with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, who perform the secretariat function for the group.
