Thames Water is updating designs for its proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction project, following feedback received during its autumn 2023 public consultation.
The company has listened to over 2,000 responses and as a result, is changing the proposed pipeline construction method to further reduce disruption for communities.
Designed for use during periods of drought, the scheme will deliver 75 million litres of water per day.
The project will enable the company to abstract more water from the River Thames during periods of drought, supported by water recycling.
The company will publish the detailed revised proposals for the project later this summer, with community information events set to take place in autumn 2024.
Thames Water is in the process of finalising several key changes, including:
Changing the construction method for the recycled water pipeline from pipejacking to tunnel boring. Tunnel boring is a tried and tested method and has been used on lots of other major infrastructure projects, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel.
Changing the design of the recycled water pipeline that would transfer recycled water from Mogden sewage treatment works to the River Thames by increasing the internal diameter of the pipeline and constructing it as a tunnel.
The proposed changes to the pipeline’s construction mean Thames Water can decrease the number of shafts and construction areas, reducing the surface level impact for local communities. Tunnel boring instead of pipejacking means the company can also take a more direct route to the River Thames, which would make the tunnel shorter.
As a result, four locations for a shaft and construction compound would be removed from the project:
A single intermediate shaft is still required – the preferred location is off Ham Street; and two options also remain under investigation for the Thames Lee Tunnel Connection.
Leonie Dubois - Head of Engagement, Land and Consents at Thames Water commented:
“We understand the prospect of a new infrastructure project will create concern particularly among the local community, and that’s why we’re working hard to continually refine our design proposals.
“We made a commitment to listen and learn from feedback and believe these design changes would mean a less disruptive construction process for local residents and mitigate impacts on recreational areas. We remain at a very early stage of project development and will continue to engage and formally consult as the project progresses.
“It’s critical we progress our plans to secure London’s future water supply. Doing nothing is not an option, we must invest in major new infrastructure to safeguard the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, the environment, and the economy.”
Thames Water will publish and share detail of its proposed design changes later this summer, ahead of launching a series of community information events in autumn 2024.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.