Ofwat asks if Thames Water can deliver Abingdon reservoir

Ofwat opened the consultation on whether the White Horse Reservoir should be designated a ‘Specified Infrastructure Project’ and Thames Water issued with a preparatory works notice, on April 2.

The proposed project, previously known as SESRO or Abingdon Reservoir, would involve the 10-year construction of a massive reservoir which could hold around 150 million cubic metres of water to supply the south east, built just 5km south-west of Abingdon.

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It would be one of the largest reservoirs built in the UK, and has been proposed to combat water supply deficit of the ‘seriously water stressed’ region, as designated by the Environment Agency.

A CGI of the new reservoir (Image: Thames Water)

But it’s proved controversial, with campaigners Group Against Reservoir Development receiving backing from the community, local MPs and councillors.

Specifying the project would give the secretary of state or Ofwat the power ‘to specify an infrastructure project for separate delivery and regulation’, meaning it would not automatically be undertaken by Thames Water but rather put out to tender for an independent, third party provider to deliver and finance the project.

This specification can be issued for projects which are considered to be of a ‘size and complexity’ that would threaten the undertaker’s – in this case, Thames Water’s – ability to provide service for its customers, and if the specification is likely to result in a better value for money.

Ofwat concluded that, if Thames Water were to deliver the project, there would be a ‘material threat’ to the company’s ability to provide water services to its customers.

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Factors including the cost of the reservoir – estimated between £5.5billion and £7.5billion according to prices in 2022/23 – it’s scale as the single largest reservoir project ever undertaken in the UK and the risks around construction and engineering were all cited as reasons for this conclusion.

Similarly, Thames Water’s ability to manage it while ‘delivering the long-term transformation of its business’ over the next decade was also considered a factor in concluding the project should be specified.

Leonie Dubois, left, head of engagement for Thames Water (Image: Thames Water)

Once specified, Thames Water may still be required to undertake ‘preparatory works’ – like conducting site surveys relating to heritage, environment and other elements – arranging for electricity provisions, diverting utilities and undertaking highway works, preparing designs and planning applications for the project and procuring the works.

However, the water company would be prohibited from delivering the infrastructure project itself.

The consultation will close on May 14, and independent Vale of White Horse councillor Sally Whiteman (nee Povolotsky) urged people to submit their views.

Sally Whiteman (nee Povolotsky) urged people to submit their views to Ofwat (Image: Sally Povolotsky)

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She said: “This is a hugely important stage in the process. Now is the time to put your views on record.

“This consultation is arguably one of the most important ‘gateway moments’ yet in the White Horse Reservoir process because it moves discussion from ‘should this reservoir exist?’ towards ‘how do we deliver it?’.

“Consultations only work if people take part. Every individual response matters and helps demonstrate the depth of local feeling and concern.”