Opinion: Building for Britain’s water security
Chris Weston looks at plans for the South East Strategic Resource Option SESRO
Last week the Prime Minster set out his plans to ‘launch a golden era of building’ and committed to accelerate Britain’s infrastructure development. His observation that the UK hasn't constructed a new reservoir in three decades highlights a critical gap we're striving to address.
Our proposal for a new reservoir in Oxfordshire represents a significant step forward. The reservoir is designed to supply water to over 15 million Thames Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water customers across the South East.
The urgency of this project cannot be overstated. The Environment Agency has already classified the South East, home to 19 million people, as ‘severely water-stressed'. With population projections indicating an additional four million residents by 2050, the region is expected to consume half of the UK's total water supply. Without intervention, the South East faces a potential deficit of more than 2.5 billion litres of water daily in the same period.
And climate change presents further challenges. More frequent hot, dry summers threaten water security, with severe droughts potentially costing London's economy up to £500 million per day.
This crisis extends beyond any single water company. That’s why we’re working together, and looking beyond our individual boundaries, to make decisions that will benefit our whole region and deliver best value for our customers. We remain focused, and committed, to reducing leakage and promoting water conservation, but these measures alone won't suffice. Major investment in new infrastructure is vital to addressing the region, and indeed the UK’s water scarcity.
We continue to push forward to make this a reality. Our proposed reservoir has already been designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by the Government, and next year we will continue to consult with our customers, communities and stakeholders about our plans, ready to submit a Development Consent Order in 2026. Dependent on the Secretary of State’s decision, the reservoir build could commence as early as 2029, just five years’ from now.
Our reservoir, alongside other planned water infrastructure projects nationwide, represents a crucial investment in Britain's water security. The time for action is now – future generations depend on the decisions we make today.
Chris Weston, CEO, Thames Water