Twickenham MP Munira Wilson has criticised the Government's decision to approve Thames Water's Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which includes highly controversial proposals to pump treated sewage into the River Thames at Teddington Lock. 

The Teddington Direct River Abstraction (Teddington DRA) would pump treated sewage into the river above Teddington Lock via an underground pipeline from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works, as part of Thames Water's stated drought resilience objectives.

However, Wilson, residents and campaigners have argued that the proposals would in fact contribute very little to drought resilience, whilst causing potential damage to human health and the environment. 

"On any given day, our stretch of the river is alive with people swimming, rowing, paddling and kayaking along our precious waterway, and enjoying nature with their sporting clubs, youth groups, schools and families," said the Twickenham MP. 

She added: "I am beyond disappointed that the Government has decided to allow Thames Water to waste billpayers' money by ploughing ahead with these proposals, and I know that local residents will be similarly outraged. The threat to people, wildlife and the environment is too great a cost."

The controversy surrounding the Teddington DRA reflects serious questions that remain unanswered about the health and environmental impacts, with the Environment Agency itself having said that Thames Water have failed to show that the Teddington scheme is "feasible or environmentally acceptable".  

Wilson and campaigners maintain that Thames Water have also failed to prove that the proposals fit 'best value' - particularly with more viable alternatives available. 

The Liberal Democrat MP has been campaigning against the Teddington DRA proposals since they were first announced, holding a parliamentary debate in September 2023 and presenting a petition in Parliament in December 2023.

On 22 July, Wilson and Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, wrote a joint letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, asking him to halt the proposals once and for all.

In that letter, Wilson pointed to the ongoing scandals around Thames Water's practises and financial position as another reason the proposals should not be allowed to go ahead. 

Wilson continued: "The decision to give these proposals the go-ahead is especially galling given Thames Water's shocking financial state and continuing scandals around illegal sewage dumping, eye-watering leaks and sky-high price hikes.

"It's no wonder people don't trust the water companies, and no wonder local residents don't want these proposals to go ahead. I am urgently seeking a meeting with the Environment Secretary to express my huge disappointment that he has approved the Water Resources Management Plan without removing the Teddington scheme.

"Residents want answers from a minister who has promised to protect our precious river."

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "Local communities have our absolute assurance that no untreated sewage will be transferred into the River Thames through our abstraction project proposals. The project is no different to the normal water supply system and will work by putting treated recycled water from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works through an additional stage of treatment so we're able to top up the Thames with clean, recycled water.

"This is a significant investment that will help us to protect London's water supply during drought, while protecting the river's water quality. Customer and community feedback is at the heart of our plans for future infrastructure. Later this autumn, we will host a series of community information events in West London to update local people on the project."

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson added: "With rapid population growth and climate change, water demand is skyrocketing. That is why this government is committed to increase our water supply while protecting the environment and public health.

"We are going further by introducing legislation to clean up our waterways, attract private-sector investment for upgrades and speed up the building of water infrastructure."