Thames Water appoints Technical Partner to develop water transfer project

Wednesday 9 July 2025 10:00

Thames Water has awarded AtkinsRéalis and Stantec (joint venture) a contract to develop designs for its Severn to Thames Transfer project.
The proposed transfer project is designed to increase the amount of water available during times of drought.
The project is being developed in partnership with Severn Trent Water and United Utilities.
Water would be moved from the River Severn to the River Thames by either a new pipeline or the restoration of the Cotswold canals.
Without action the company forecasts a shortfall of 1 billion litres of water every day for its customers by 2050.

Thames Water is progressing designs for a water transfer project designed to protect water supply during periods of drought. The Severn to Thames Transfer project is part of an adaptive plan which the company is progressing in case it needs additional water in the future.

The AtkinsRéalis and Stantec joint venture has been awarded to support its development, including work on conceptual design studies. If built, water would be provided from the River Severn through either a pipeline or by restoring the Cotswold canals, with the potential for additional sources of water provided by Severn Trent Water and United Utilities.
It follows government approval of Thames Water’s Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP24) last year, which sets out the company strategy to provide a secure and sustainable supply of water for the next 50 years and beyond. This includes the needs case for a new reservoir in Oxfordshire and a water recycling project in West London.

The water utility’s regulators have directed the company to progress plans for the water transfer project to ensure it is fully prepared for a range of future scenarios, including customer demand for water outstripping available supply.

Water resources are already under significant pressure from climate change and population growth, with these challenges only intensifying over time. England has just experienced the driest spring in over 100 years and the warmest on UK record. With more frequent droughts predicted, it is vital that a range of solutions are ready to go.

“Water is an essential part of everyday life, so it’s important we are ready for a range of scenarios. That’s why we’re working with industry leading experts to progress our Severn to Thames Transfer project. This will enable us to act quickly should additional water be needed in the future.”

Mohit Farmah

Head of Procurement and Supply Chain at Thames Water

Richard Whale, Global Market Director, Water, AtkinsRéalis and Mark Tindale, Strategy Director, Water, Stantec, said in a joint statement: “Our teams from the AtkinsRéalis Stantec Joint Venture are proud to be bringing together a breadth of leading environmental, design, planning, and engineering expertise to help support this water resilience project.

“We are looking forward to working in collaboration with our partners, Thames Water, and other stakeholders drawing on our expertise and demonstrating what’s possible in integrated technical excellence and long-term water resource management.”

The project forms part of a national initiative promoted by Ofwat to increase the resilience of the UK’s water supply in the event of drought.