Thames Water has announced its next round of public consultations on the Teddington Direct River Abstraction plan. 

Engagement events will take place across South West London in November, following the public consultations in February and March 2023. 

The controversial water recycling scheme proposes to take water from above Teddington Weir, transfer it via an existing underground tunnel to the Lee Valley reservoirs, and replace it with treated wastewater from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works. 

The water company is inviting communities, customers, and stakeholders to find out more and have their say on its proposed new scheme, designed to protect water security for future generations.   

Thames Water has come under fire from local MPs and residents for the lack of transparency in the consultation process and using public engagement as a "box-ticking" exercise. 

Richmond MP Sarah Olney criticised Thames Water in a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating she was "outraged" that Thames Water is "suggesting digging up Ham Lands, but won't be holding any consultation events in Ham or Petersham." 

She added: "Residents will have to go to North Kingston or over the river to Twickenham to learn more about the scheme." 

Although the Kingston YMCA Hawker has a Kingston postcode, the venue features on Lower Ham Road and sits next to the Thames. 

A Thames Water spokesperson said: ""To ensure we can safely accommodate the number of expected attendees we opted for a larger venue, with the nearest suitable site situated at the YMCA Hawker Centre, on Lower Ham Road. The event will take place on Monday 20 November between 2pm and 8pm and we encourage residents of Ham and Petersham to sign-up." 

Location of YMCA Hawker. (Photo: Google Maps)

The company published its revised draft Water Resources Management Plan in August, which outlined the actions and investment required to deliver a secure and sustainable water supply, for the next 50 years and beyond.     

Nevil Muncaster, Strategic Partnerships Director at Thames Water, said: "We need to act now or face the very real prospect of serious water shortages in the decades to come. The UK has not built a new reservoir for over 30 years, yet we face the genuine risk of the taps running dry if we fail to make bold decisions now.     

The plan includes ambitious leakage and customer demand reduction targets, alongside major infrastructure projects.  

A statement from the company said: "The Teddington Direct River Abstraction project will ensure drought resilience in London."    

 "Alongside the reservoir, our plan includes a direct river abstraction project in West London, a scheme which will improve our resilience to drought, along with ambitious water demand reduction and leakage targets."    

However, Save Ham Lands campaigners have scrutinised this claim, arguing the scheme would only save 2% of water the company loses every day from leakages. 

For those who can't make it, they can find out more by visiting www.thames-sro.co.uk or email the community engagement team via [email protected]." 

To find out more about the Teddington Direct River Abstraction project:   

Friday 3 November: York House, Twickenham, TW1 3AA (2pm to 8pm) - sign-up here  

Thursday 9 November: Peter & Paul Centre, Teddington, TW1 3AA (2pm to 8pm) - sign-up here  

Monday 13 November: Twickenham Stadium, TW2 7BA (2pm to 8pm) - sign-up here   

Monday 20 November: Kingston YMCA Hawker, KT2 5BH (2pm to 8pm) - sign-up here