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Thames Water wants to fill a proposed Oxfordshire reservoir with winter water from the Thames, as dry conditions sharpen the focus on long-term supplies.
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Thames Water plans to apply for permission by the end of 2026 to build the White Horse Reservoir near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The proposed 150-billion-litre reservoir would be filled with water taken from the River Thames in winter and is intended to help supply south-east England by 2040. Its estimated cost is £5.5bn to £7.5bn. [1]
The plans come amid dry conditions. By 28 September, the Thames Valley had received 35% of its average rainfall for the month. Julie Morton, Thames Water’s head of water resources, said rainfall across the company’s region from March to August had been less than half the usual amount. Although recent rain had raised some river levels, groundwater and soil moisture remained significantly below average, she said. [1]
Separately, 240 farmers along the Evenlode, Cherwell and Windrush rivers are involved in a landscape recovery programme intended to help soil absorb rain and replenish groundwater beneath the area. The programme has been awarded £100m by Defra over 20 years; its aims also include flood resilience and biodiversity. [1]
Tim Field, director of the Evenlode Landscape Recovery programme, warned that reservoirs alone would not solve water shortages if taking water from rivers left them dry. Protecting the water that feeds rivers and reservoirs mattered too, he said. [1]
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