This website has been created using the best information available to GARD at the time of its compilation. The opinions expressed are based on GARD’s perception of the issues involved and the stance taken by Thames Water

THAMES WATER’s PLAN REJECTED
– 1st March 2011

Following the 2010 public inquiry Inspector’s report and recommendations, the Secretary of State for DEFRA has instructed Thames Water to revise their draft 2009 25 year Plan. She ruled out the massive Abingdon reservoir and required Thames Water to include a range of alternative water supply options for proper evaluation, most of which GARD proposed at the public inquiry. GARD will be exercising close vigilance to ensure that these options are examined objectively, and with water customers’ interests to the fore.

The Inspector found that Thames Water had made a plan that was not fit for purpose, was not compliant with the Regulator’s requirements and that the demand for water up to 2035 as forecast by Thames Water was substantially overstated. The Inspector also found that the company had failed to investigate all the viable alternative water resources properly, had failed to make the essential environmental assessments concerning Severn to Thames water transfer, and had not investigated the viability of less expensive alternatives when considering water reuse options. She ruled out the 100Mm3 Abingdon reservoir.

GARD is a Group of individuals who, whilst opposing the Abingdon Reservoir Proposal, are also advancing responsible development of water resources. It is free of any political or vested interests. Its objective is to identify and promote solutions in the interests of water consumers. GARD is advised by eminent water industry practitioners. Its committee is composed of voluntary, unpaid members with technical experience and expertise.

BACKGROUND TO PUBLIC INQUIRY

For many years Thames Water have been determined to build a massive reservoir across approximately 5,000 acres of productive farmland south west of Abingdon. Their last Plan (Sept 2009) proposed bringing it into operation by 2026. Their long range forecasts (amended downwards three times over the last five years) eventually predicted that by 2035 water demand across their Region would exceed supply by merely 60 million litres per day, and then only in drought conditions. Its huge cost would have added at least £10, probably nearer £20 per annum, to all their water consumers’ water bills.

GARD have long argued that Thames Water’s proposed Abingdon reservoir – probably one of the largest of its type in the world – would not be needed, especially when other much superior, lower cost water resource alternatives exist. GARD has been bringing these alternatives to the attention of DEFRA, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, local government, politicians and other influential bodies for several years.

In 2009 DEFRA announced that Thames Water’s draft Water Resources Plan must be subjected to a public inquiry.

Thames Water have failed objectively or fairly to evaluate the better, cheaper, more environmentally sustainable proposals put forward by GARD, supported by their expert independent professional advisors.

GARD’S CONCERNS

Unacceptable leakage rate:

Thames Water have the highest leakage rate of all UK water companies (read more). Despite some recent improvements in their leakage repair programme – which yielded greater water savings than they expected – it must make sense for them to continue to programme substantial leakage repairs to London’s ageing mains as a matter of priority. With 50% of these mains over 100 years old, Martin Baggs, Thames Water’s Chief Executive, has himself agreed that they cannot simply be left to continue ageing and leaking millions of litres per day.

Reduced Industrial Abstractions from River Thames:

Closures of substantial industrial users of water abstracted from the Thames (e.g. Courage Breweries) together with the projected closure of Didcot “A” power station in about 2015, will lead to major additional water resources becoming available over the next decade. These have, however, yet to be included in Thames Water’s plans but would more than meet their stated short fall of 60 million litres/day in 2035.

Bigger profits for Thames Water from a reservoir:

It is GARD’s view that Thames Water’s over-riding strategic objective has been to build a massive Abingdon reservoir to meet the financial interests of its owners. Quote from the Industrial Editor, Tim Webb (the Observer, 30th August 2009):- “Thames Water can make bigger profits by spending billions of pounds building new infrastructures such as reservoirs..... to increase supplies, than by the potentially cheaper way of importing water from different regions. Customers bills have to rise to pay for (water) companies’ increased spending, with Thames Water at 3% above inflation each year.”

NO ABINGDON RESERVOIR WAS EVER NEEDED OR JUSTIFIABLE