Thames Water's £7.5bn Reservoir Plan
The utility's revised blueprint for a mega-reservoir in Oxfordshire has seen costs soar from £2.2bn, sparking concerns over its strategic value and environmental impact
Thames Water has revised its plans for a mega-reservoir in Oxfordshire, increasing the estimated cost from £2.2bn to between £5.5bn and £7.5bn. The reservoir, scheduled to hold 150bn litres of water, is intended to serve 15 million people and address the growing population and climate change pressures on water resources in the south-east.
The White Horse reservoir near Abingdon will have a surface area of 6.7 sq km (2.6 sq miles) and require walls up to 25 metres high to contain the main body of water. The site will be one of the largest reservoirs in the UK, with a capacity to hold a significant portion of the region's water supply.
The revised plans come amid local opposition and concerns over the project's strategic value and environmental impact. Thames Water has stated that the scheme is needed to cope with the growing population in the south-east and the changing climate, which has put pressure on water resources in many parts of the UK.
## What's at Stake The reservoir is a critical component of the UK's water infrastructure, with Rapid, a partnership between Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, projecting a shortfall of more than 2bn litres a day by 2055. The utility aims to submit a planning application by late 2026, with main works construction expected to begin in 2032 and water available by 2040.
The increased cost of the project has sparked concerns over its viability, with some questioning whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Thames Water has stated that the additional costs are necessary to accommodate extra building works, relocate adjacent solar farms, and reroute local rivers and streams.
## Next Steps A public consultation into the original plans concluded in January, and a further consultation began last week, expected to end next month. The outcome of these consultations will be crucial in determining the fate of the project, with Thames Water seeking to convince regulators that the reservoir is necessary to meet the region's growing water needs.
The revised plans have significant implications for the environment, with the reservoir's construction requiring careful planning to minimize its impact on local ecosystems. As the UK continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, the Thames Water reservoir project serves as a reminder of the need for sustainable and effective water management solutions.
