Thames Water Utilities Limited - Application for a Drought Permit 

Section 79A of the Water Resources Act 1991 

TAKE NOTICE that due to a serious water shortage in Oxfordshire, part of Wiltshire (centring on Swindon) and part of Gloucestershire (centring on Cirencester) caused by an exceptional shortage of rain, Thames Water Utilities Limited of Clearwater Court, Vastern Road, Reading RG1 8DB is applying to the Environment Agency for a drought permit under section 79A of the Water Resources Act 1991.

The proposed drought permit will involve a temporary variation (for a period of six months) of the Thames Water Utilities Limited licence to increase the licensed abstraction of water from the River Thames at Farmoor (Licence No. 28/39/16/0078). 

The anticipated effect of the drought permit, if granted, will be to increase the amount of water available for abstraction into Farmoor reservoir in order to reduce the rate of fall in reservoir levels. This will help to safeguard longer term supplies for public use. The effect on the river will be a reduction in flow downstream of Farmoor.

It is not anticipated that this will have any adverse effect on downstream abstractors. In consultation with the Environment Agency, Thames Water Utilities Limited have carried out comprehensive environmental assessments into the potential impact of the proposed permit.

In order to understand the impacts of the drought permit a programme of monitoring has been agreed with the Environment Agency and Natural England and will be implemented before the drought permit is granted, during operation of the drought permit and following cessation of the drought permit. Key environmental parameters included in the monitoring programme comprise river flow, designated sites, protected habitats, water quality and ecology (including assessment of potential impacts on Invasive Non-Native species). In addition, mitigation measures will be implemented if the monitoring indicates it is necessary. This mitigation will include pumping to support sensitive watercourses and may also include targeted rescues of fish where necessary.

Anyone may inspect the proposals, free of charge, during normal working hours until 23 September 2026, at:

• (a) Farmoor Fishery
  Farmoor Reservoir
  Cumnor Road
  Farmoor
  Oxon
  OX2 9NS
• (b) Thames Water Utilities Limited
  Clearwater Court
  Vastern Road
  Reading
  RG1 8DB
• (c) The Environment Agency
  Red Kite House
  Benson Lane
  Crowmarsh Gifford
  Wallingford
  OX10 8BD

Objections can be made from 9am on 17 September 2026 with a deadline of 5pm on 23 September 2026. The response should outline if you are making a formal objection to the proposal and the grounds for the objection.

Nevil Muncaster
Strategic Water Resources Director
Thames Water Utilities Limited

17 September 2026