Network resilience projects
We're investing in our London network. Between 2020-25, we're upgrading our largest trunk and distribution mains. London's water mains pipes are some of our oldest assets dating from the Victorian era with many over 150 years old.
The pipes make up 90% of our entire network and are a whopping one metre in diameter! They help to move massive amounts of water to our customers’ homes and businesses.
To help identify the most urgent replacements, we’re working alongside technology companies to assess and measure the state of pipes across our network.
We’re also proactively monitoring for leaks so we can repair them quickly and respond to bursts. Roughly a third of reported leakage comes from customers’ own pipework. With two thirds of leakage then lost from our network of 20,000 miles of distribution mains.
That’s why we’re working hard to help improve our network by upgrading our main systems across London with a range of projects:
Improving water mains
600 metres of water mains between Seven Sisters Road and Finsbury Park Road are set to be improved.
Upgrading pipes for the network
We’re investing £25 million to upgrade 16km of pipes for the network travelling.
Preventing leaks and bursts
We're investing £2.5 million on 3.km of Victorian pipework in Gloucester during May to November 2023.
Helping the growing water demand
Replacing the water main called “Millennium Main” in Deptford to help the growing water demand.
Once the projects are complete, it will help to:
- Cause less disruptions
- Provide a more reliable water supply
- Improve water pressure
- Increase trunk main capacity
- Restore Thames Water’s trunk main network resilience
- Adapt the network pipes due to the growing population in the area