CPRE opposes the proposed Upper Thames Reservoir, believing that Thames Water should concentrate on reducing leakage and improving water efficiency. In April 2007, the Environment Agency published regulations that meant that Thames water had to begin the examination of the case for the reservoir again and the whole planning process was delayed by at least two years.

On May 7 2008, Thames Water published its draft Water Resources Mangagement Plan (WRMP).

• The reservoir proposal
• CPRE's position on the reservoir
• CPRE Water Strategy for the South East
• CPRE on Thames Water's 25 year strategy
• The Environment Agency position on the reservoir
• Further information

Latest News

• June 2008: Summary of the Appraisal by GARD of the draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP). See also diagrammatic and explanatory details.
• May 2008: Thames Water publishes its draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)
• October 2007: CPRE calls for Thames Water to adopt "repair, reduce and recycle" for its 25 year strategy
• October 2007: Vale of White Horse District Council says it is still waiting for answers from Thames Water
• September 2007. A Water Resource Strategy for the South East. CPRE South East has issued a comprehensive study of water supply in the South East. It calls for the government to recognise the environmental limits on water supply and for the water industry to increase water efficiency, including reuse and recycling of water. New reservoirs are not part of the solution.

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GARD commissions an expert on water resources to scrutinise Thames Water's WRMP

The Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) has commissioned an expert on water resources to bring Thames Water's latest report under the spotlight. It raises serious doubts over the case for a giant reservoir between Wantage and Abingdon.

The company's 900-page Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) published in May, predicts water will start running short in six years' time, unless water-saving schemes are put in place alongside the £800 million reservoir, planned for 2021.

But in a 60-page analysis, retired professor Chris Binnie, claims Thames Water has not adequately justified the need. He said its arguments and figures had serious limitations resulting in conclusions which were not ‘robust’. The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Oxfordshire, contributed significantly to the consultation.

• June 24 2008: Summary of the Appraisal by GARD of the draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP)

Thames Water publishes its draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP).

On May 7 2008, Thames Water published its draft Water Resources Mangagement Plan (WRMP) 'Water - planning for the furture', setting out the water company's plans to manage water supply and demand over the 25 year period from 2010 to 2035. The draft Plan sets out how Thames Water plans to ensure there will be sufficient water available to meet its customers’ needs over the next 25 years. New resources such as the reservoir proposed for the Upper Thames region in Oxfordshire will be 'essential' said Thames Water Chief Executive David Owens in a press release 'Your water, your future' issued on the same day.

Public Consultation

The 16-week public consultation was launched on May 7 and comments on the draft Plan are invited online. The consultation is web based and is being facilitated by an independent company at: http://www.thameswaterconsult.co.uk.

You can register now for the online consultation, and the plan will be available to view from 7 May. All comments must be received by 27 August 2008. Thames Water will also be holding exhibitions in the Abingdon area throughout May and June, for further information on dates and venues go to: http://www.thameswater.co.uk/utmrd or email: utmrd@thameswater.co.uk

The Environment Agency and Ofwat will make representations to the Secretary of State at the end of the consultation period. The final plan will be published in 2009.

CPRE Oxfordshire will be taking part in the consultation process and will be vociferously opposing the reservoir.

Further Information

For more information contact the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD) on email: info@noreservoir.com or see their website: http://www.gard2006.co.uk

The Reservoir Proposal

Lower rainfall, increased consumer consumption, housing and industrial growth and large-scale leakage are all contributing to a growing water shortage in the southeast.

One option to alleviate the shortage is a proposal for a large new reservoir in the Steventon and Hanney area, near Abingdon. The reservoir would store approximately 150 billion litres (equal to 33 billion gallons), an area of about 10 sq km. The chosen site is flat clay vale, so the water will need to be contained by an embankment; the maximum height will be 25 metres (80 feet) in height and would only occur opposite Marcham. This development will have a major impact on the local landscape and surrounding villages. (Thames Water call the scheme the Upper Thames Major Resource Development or UTMRD.)

Plan of proposed reservoir		Perspective of proposed reservoir
Click for larger image. Source: Thames Water.		Click for larger image. Source: Thames Water (perspective corrected to give a more realistic idea of the height of the embankments).

The reservoir embankment near Steventon will be about 15 metres high, ie. the same height as the nearby church. The tower is shown against the cross-section of the embankment.

CPRE's Position on the Reservoir

Bruce Tremayne, Chairman of CPRE Oxfordshire, criticises the rush to construct a reservoir before other options have been exhausted.

We do face a growing water shortage in the South East. But before we disrupt and destroy so much of Oxfordshire's landscape, we must save water rather than waste it. We argue that the priority is to change the landscape of peoples' minds rather than the landscape of Oxfordshire. Every householder should think about how to use less water and Thames Water must deliver on better management of existing supplies before it pushes ahead with giant engineering proposals which impact on cherished landscapes.

We are calling for a series of actions by Thames Water, the Environmental Agency, Ofwat and the public.

Reduce water leakage

Rates of water loss in the Thames area are too high. In the year to March 2007, Thames Water lost 790 million litres a day through leakage. This is the equivalent of about 235 litres for every property—much more than the household consumption of 154 litres a day (source: Thames Water). Ofwat calls for a reduction of leakage to 725 million litres a day by 2010.

It will be costly to replace decayed supply systems, many of which are more than a century old. But there can be no purpose in the expensive construction of a new source of supply only to waste the product through leakage. A proposal for an Upper Thames Reservoir should not be entertained until leakage is significantly reduced at least to the levels required by Ofwat in 2010 and we would wish to see tough targets for reduction of leakage after 2010.

Encourage lower water usage

There is an urgent need for research into water usage in the region and incentives for reduction of use. At a minimum, we call for metering of all consumers in the southeast before plans for the reservoir are considered. (Thames Water installed meters in just 0.32% of households in its area in 2003/04). All new houses need to be built to ensure minimum water usage.

Pursue alternative options

All available options to the reservoir need to be considered including a cluster of smaller storage areas and replenishment of aquifers. Landscape and environmental considerations must take equal place with financial factors in any review of these proposals.

Reduce personal usage

Regardless of the Thames Water proposal, Southeast England is short of water. You can help by reducing your own water consumption (and your water bills):

• Ask Thames Water to install a water meter, its free: ring their Customer Centre on 0845 9200 888
• Reduce your household use: see the Thames Water Waterwise website.
• And if you are a school teacher or parent, you’ll find useful information for children on the Water in Schools and Wateraid websites.

The Environment Agency on the Reservoir

The Environment Agency believes that Thames Water has not fully answered the following three questions:

• A. How much water does it need to supply customers in the future?
• B. Which measures would best meet or manage future demand for water?
• C. If a reservoir is needed where might it be located?

It is calling for these to be answered in sequence and the main focus of its work remains on Question A.

• The Environment Agency position on the reservoir

Local Opposition

There is strong local opposition to the scheme led by the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD).

Further information

• 26 October: CPRE calls for Thames Water to adopt "repair, reduce and recycle" for its 25 year strategy
• A Water Resource Strategy for the South East. CPRE South East has issued a comprehensive study of water supply in the South East. 26 September 2007.
• Thames Water is inviting views on its draft 25-year plan for a sustainable future. 24 September 2007
• Reservoir plans delayed for at least two years: April 2007
• Vale District Council outlines its initial response to reservoir plans: "We will be vigorous in this challenge and will not accept anything until we have had a chance to examine every assumption and every conclusion."
• Oxfordshire County Council takes a stance on the reservoir: "the need is not proven".
  • OCC cabinet paper on the reservoir
  • OCC response to Stage 1 of the Thames Water consultation
• CPRE statements to the Examination in Public of the South East Plan on water: December 2006
• Thames Water statement to the Examination in Public of the South East Plan: December 2006
• Support leaking away: CPRE press release, November 2006
• What a Waste! CPRE press release, November 2006
• CPRE Oxfordshire submission to Stage 1 of the Thames Water consultation
• Vale leader Jerry Patterson questions the case for the reservoir (SEERA Voice), Summer 2006
• Thames Water (Thames Water calls the scheme the Upper Thames Major Resource Development)
• Thames Water Exhibition Displays (pdf)
• The Water Guide to UK water industry and the companies operating within it.
• Commentary on the Fluvius Survey