Teddington Direct River Abstraction project (take action below)

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Thames Water wants to build a series of pipes upstream of Teddington Lock as part of its drought protection strategy.

One will take water from the Thames to reservoirs in the Lea Valley, in East London.

A second will add treated wastewater from Mogden Sewage Works, to top up the river level, just upstream of Teddington Lock.

London Waterkeeper wants to know the answers to three questions, if the answer to them is yes, we will oppose the project when the planning application is submitted next year.

1) Will there be an increase in faecal bacteria levels in the area where people swim?

2) Will there be an increase in nutrient levels in the Thames as a result of treated wastewater being added from Mogden Sewage Works?

3) In periods of drought, the water level falls in the Thames. Will abstraction volumes be reduced when the river is low?

We need people to hold Thames Water to account and give detailed answers to these questions. We need to know that Thames Water has accurate data and modelling on whether water quality will fall.

We need to know if the extraction pipe will be able to function when water levels are low, if not it will be a costly mistake. Thames Water built a desalination plant in East London for £250m, but it isn’t working, because salt levels change as the tide ebbs and flows.

Send our legally binding request:

Or copy and paste the text below and email to eir.requests@thameswater.co.uk

Dear Thames Water,

I have concerns about the proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction project. Specifically, the introduction of treated wastewater from Modgen Sewage Works, upstream of Teddington Lock, to the Thames. Downstream is an area that is very popular for swimming and water sports. It would be regrettable if water quality was to fall and people were no longer able to use this area.

While the plans say it will undergo a ‘tertiary treatment’ there is no indication that this will see the effluent processed to remove faecal bacteria (for example, using ultraviolet light, as was used in Munich to protect swimming areas in the River Isar).

Additionally, treated wastewater can have raised levels of nutrients, which could affect the ecosystem of the Thames at this location.

The abstraction pipe would be used during periods of drought. However, it is at these times that river levels are lower. Is there a risk that water levels in the Thames could be too low, meaning less water would be taken out?

Under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 I would like to request the following information:

1) Do you know if there will be an increase in faecal bacteria levels in the area where people swim, downstream of Teddington Weir?

2) Will there be an increase in nutrient levels in the Thames as a result of treated wastewater being added from Mogden Sewage Works?

3) In periods of drought, the water level falls in the Thames. Will there be occasions that it is too low for abstraction volumes to be maintained?

An electronic reply is fine.

Yours faithfully,.