Thames Water launches consultation on proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction project

Thames Water has today (Tuesday 17 June 2025) launched a 10- week statutory public consultation on its proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project.

The vital project is designed to safeguard the drinking water supply during periods of drought. Water resources across the region are already under increasing pressure, with the Environment Agency designating the South East as seriously water stressed.

The number of people living and working in the capital is also projected to grow significantly. The company forecasts it will need an additional billion litres of water daily by 2050 to serve two million more Londoners. Population growth isn’t the only factor adding pressure to water resources.

How the project works

The project, which will only operate during drought, works in two parts. The first phase involves taking water from the River Thames, upstream of Teddington Weir and transferring it through a new purpose-built pipeline, to an existing underground tunnel. Here water would flow up to Thames Water’s Lee Valley Reservoirs, ready to bolster London’s essential drinking water supply.

At the heart of this project is the use of water recycling, a tried-and-tested method used around the world. To maintain river flow and protect the local environment, the company would top up the Thames, with highly treated, recycled water. Wastewater is already treated until it is clean enough to go back into environment, this project involves an additional layer of cleaning, known as Tertiary Treatment. The treated water would travel to the River Thames through a new recycled water tunnel and be released upstream of Teddington Weir, protecting river levels and wildlife.

Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement, Land and Consents at Thames Water, said:

“London faces a critical water security challenge that demands immediate action. This spring has already broken records, as the warmest and sunniest in over a century and has also been extremely dry, increasing the risk of drought. Our London drought resilience project is therefore essential to prevent the taps from running dry during increasingly frequent droughts.  

“This consultation gives people the opportunity to help shape a project that will protect London’s water resilience for generations to come. We’re hosting in person and virtual events across the summer where customers and communities are invited to find out more about the proposals, meet the project team and have their say, along with the opportunity to give their feedback.” 

Have your say 

The company has already made several changes to the project following feedback gathered during a previous public consultation, including reducing the number of shafts needed to construct the tunnels required. The current consultation asks for feedback on the proposals for the project, including proposed routes of the two new tunnels.

The consultation materials also contain information on the proposed construction methods for the project. People can share their comments on the construction approach and infrastructure required through the feedback form.

A dedicated project website displaying all the consultation materials can be accessed at www.thames-sro.co.uk/tdra/statcon2025. The public consultation will remain open until 11:59pm on Tuesday 26 August 2025.

Thames Water is encouraging anyone with an interest in the project to attend one of the eight in-person or two virtual events taking place across June and July. More information can be found at: https://thames-sro.co.uk/events/

In person events:

Online events:

Feedback can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• By filling in the online feedback form, which can be found at the consultation website at www.thames-sro.co.uk/tdra/statcon2025

• Emailing the dedicated consultation response email address at TDRA@ipsos.com

• Filling in one of our printed feedback forms available at the events or at one of the various locations in the community (details can be found on the project website) and posting it free of charge to FREEPOST TDRA CONSULTATION.

• Writing free of charge at FREEPOST TDRA CONSULTATION

All responses must be received in writing by 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 August 2025.  To find out more about the consultation visit www.thames-sro/tdra/statcon2025