Public consultation on Thames Water plan

A seven-week consultation is underway for public comments on the company's Water Resources Management Plan

MEMBERS of the public have seven weeks to comment on Thames Water's plans to meet predicted demand for water up until 2035.

The water company, which has warned that recent low rainfall means there is a risk of drought next year, has amended its Water Resources Management Plan to reflect recommendations resulting from a public inquiry in summer 2010.

The plan contains minor changes to 2020, with continued focus on reducing demand for water by reducing leakage, installing water meters and promoting water efficiency.

Beyond 2020, the proposed Upper Thames Reservoir has been removed and replaced with a number of smaller schemes as a result of the company being instructed not to factor in ‘long term risk' associated with future, unknown, sustainability reductions.

Thames Water's director of external affairs and sustainability, Richard Aylard, said: “We supply water to nine million people and we take this responsibility extremely seriously.

“Sixteen of the last twenty months have seen below-average rainfall across London and Thames Valley, and if we don't get close to average rainfall this winter there is a very real possibility of a drought next year.

“This highlights what we already know – that supplies are stretched and we have to act now to ensure we can provide enough water to meet our customers' needs now and in the future.”

People can have their say on the draft final plan until Tuesday, January 2012.

Future sustainability reductions will be confirmed by the Environment Agency for the next plan (2015-2040), which will be consulted on in spring 2013.