The prediction of Thames Water's collapse is becoming a hot topic, as an MP raises serious doubts about the water company's capacity to undertake a significant new reservoir project aimed at serving 15 million residents in the southeast of England.
In a lively debate held in Westminster regarding Thames Water's future on Tuesday, Layla Moran, who represents Oxford West and Abingdon for the Liberal Democrats, expressed her belief that the company's failure is "inevitable."
Thames Water, on their part, affirmed their dedication to making the reservoir project a reality, asserting their commitment to address the pressing water supply needs in the region.
Currently, there is an ongoing consultation regarding the South East Strategic Reservoir Option located near Abingdon, which will conclude next week. The company has ambitious plans to begin construction of the reservoir in 2029, with hopes that it will be operational by 2040.
A representative from Thames Water stated that they are undertaking “the most significant upgrade of its network in 150 years,” investing more than £20 billion to fulfill their commitments to both customers and environmental standards.
However, Moran remains skeptical about Thames Water's capability to see this project through, questioning whether the government is ready for what she termed the "inevitable failure of Thames Water." With consumer bills rising over 30% and a history of numerous shortcomings, she expressed a lack of confidence in the company’s ability to manage something as complex as a reservoir—"I don’t trust them to run a bath, let alone a project of this magnitude," she remarked.
The estimated cost of this ambitious reservoir project could reach up to £7.5 billion, with the financial burden falling on customers of Thames Water, Affinity Water, and Southern Water, who will all contribute through increased bills.
According to Thames Water, since October, over 1,200 individuals have participated in community engagement events, and nearly 900 responses to the consultation have been received so far. The company regards this consultation process as a vital step for the project's progress, emphasizing that the feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the Development Consent Order application that they plan to submit to the Secretary of State later this year.
Thames Water has characterized the reservoir as "of national importance" for ensuring a stable water supply in the southeast, reiterating their commitment to making this project a reality.
