Campaigners have raised concerns about proposed changes to Thames Water's controversial wastewater recycling scheme in Teddington, South West London, arguing that the alterations would make the project more disruptive and infrastructure-heavy. Thames Water is conducting a four-week consultation on the design changes, but the Save Our Lands And River (SOLAR) group, formed to oppose the scheme, says the revisions would enlarge the project and increase its impact on the area.
Details of the Proposed Scheme
The scheme involves taking up to 75 million litres of water daily from the Thames above Teddington Weir during droughts, transferring it via a new pipeline to an existing tunnel, and then to Lee Valley reservoirs for drinking water. The water would be replaced with highly treated wastewater from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works through a new tunnel. Thames Water says the project is essential to meet future water demand and provide drought resilience for London, as it forecasts a need for an extra billion litres of water per day by 2050 due to climate change and population growth.
Opposition and Concerns
The scheme has faced fierce backlash from local MPs, residents, and environmental groups, who worry about its impact on the environment, wildlife, and human health. A petition demanding its cancellation has over 31,900 signatures. SOLAR stated: "The River Thames is not simply a utility asset. It is a living river used every day by swimmers, rowers, kayakers, paddleboarders, walkers, wildlife groups and families. It deserves protection, not further industrialisation."
Design Changes and Their Impacts
Thames Water proposed changes after reviewing feedback from a 2025 consultation. Key alterations include increasing the size of the control building and maintenance hatches near Beaufort Road and Burnell Avenue, using a larger area for a power cable diversion at Beaufort Road substation, and increasing the number and peak levels of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) servicing the Burnell Avenue worksite. However, HGV movements at the Tudor Drive worksite would be reduced, and all HGV movements at Ham Playing Fields would be eliminated. The firm also extended the construction timeline for Burnell Avenue and added Ewell Road as a route for construction traffic. Additionally, plans for an intermediate shaft at Ham Playing Fields were scrapped, meaning no above-ground works there.
Thames Water's Response
A Thames Water spokesperson said: "The combined effects of climate change, population growth, and the need to protect the environment mean that if we don’t do anything, we forecast a shortfall of one billion litres of water every day by 2050. ... It’s vital for us to invest in new water infrastructure such as the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project." They noted that feedback from the community is central to the project's development and encouraged responses to the consultation, which closes on June 18. An in-person event is scheduled for June 2 at St Andrew's Church Hall in Ham, and an online event on June 8. Thames Water plans to apply for a development consent order in early 2027.
