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The masterplan and design options for the Abingdon reservoir in Oxfordshire have been revealed as part of a public consultation on the proposal.
The plans have been drawn up by Thames, Southern and Affinity with the former leading the consultation.
The proposed 150Mm3 reservoir would serve around 15 million customers of all three water companies in the south east of England.
Leonie Dubois, Thames Water head of engagement, land and consents, said: “Our water resources are under threat, and the consequences of not investing in a new reservoir could be to the detriment of millions of people, the environment, and the economy, so it’s vital we take action.”
Dubois added that investing in the reservoir would “provide a drought insurance policy for households and businesses right across the South East”.
She added: “We have a unique opportunity ahead of us to address the water shortage risk, whilst seizing the chance to create a new, much-loved community resource with leisure, employment and recreational benefits for those that live nearby.”
Thames Water intends to submit a development consent order (DCO) application seeking permission to construct the new reservoir in 2026.
If granted, construction is forecast to begin in 2029, with operation planned to begin in 2040.
Under the new plans, the reservoir would hold a maximum of 150 billion litres and would be able to provide customers with 271 megalitres per day. It would have a surface area of 6.7km2 and be 33m deep.
The UK has not built a new reservoir for over 30 years and Thames Water forecasts that across London and the Thames Valley it will need an extra 1 billion litres of water every day by 2050 to protect against the effects of climate change and population growth.
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has previously stated that nine nationally significant water resource projects are needed before 2030 to prepare for anticipated water scarcity, with the findings set out in its second National Infrastructure Assessment.
Earlier this week, Anglian also launched a consultation on its plans for a new reservoir.
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